That’s why days like today – World Water Day – are so important; they highlight this most important substance, and help us all remember how blessed we are to have access to it, as well as how to help take care of those who don’t. According to WaterAid, about one-third of the world’s population lacks access to adequate sanitation; 663 million people live without safe water.

It’s important that we all do our part to conserve this precious resource and help make sure that all of the citizens of the world get to enjoy it for generations to come. Want to get started? Here are a few easy ways to conserve water around the house:

Reduce Your Water Consumption

It’s easier than you may think to have a huge impact on the environment – just use a little less water! Running the faucet when you brush your teeth or shave, for instance, can waste up to two gallons of water each minute. Instead of letting perfectly good water flow down the drain, simply turn off the tap!

And if you think ahead, you can set up household strategies to…

Catch and Reuse Water

We love drains here at Combat Plumbing; they’re kind of our bread and butter, honestly. But it would be better if we all used our drains a little less. All of the water that we let slip away each and every day can actually be collected and put to use throughout your home! Here are a few easy ideas for your family to try out:

• When shaving, collect a bit of water in your sink basin and wash your face and razor with this, rather than a running tap
• While you wait for your shower to heat up to the right temperature, put a bucket down and catch the running water; you can then use this to water plants or do some cleaning
• Boiled pasta or veggies? After you’re done straining out your meal, save this water and use it elsewhere around the house

Switch to Energy-Efficient Appliances

Another surprisingly inexpensive way to save water? Update your home’s faucets and appliances. A few small updates can make a major difference. For instance, did you know that replacing an old toilet with a low-flow model can cut your waste in half? You can also choose a modern dual-flush system, which uses different amounts of water for solid and liquid waste.

Similarly, a low-flow shower head can reduce water consumption by 50-70% percent, without affecting your water pressure; even putting a new aerator on your faucets can help increase the feel of your water pressure, allowing you to use less total water in your bathrooms and kitchen.

Make Sure Your Plumbing Is Leak-Free and Insulated

Proactive plumbing can go a long way toward keeping your home safe from disaster – and making your house a lot greener. For instance, a leaky faucet can waste nearly 3,000 gallons of water per year at just one drop per second, while a leaky toilet can waste hundreds of gallons every single day.

What this tells us is that one of the easiest ways to go green is to keep up with your regular plumbing maintenance; watch your water meter, keep an eye out for any visible leaks, schedule regular plumbing inspections, and stay vigilant for the appearance of any wet spots or odd sounds around your home.

How do you go green? We’d love to hear from you on Facebook or Twitter! And remember, we’re your plumbing allies here in Red Oak; to go green, service your system, or get to the bottom of your plumbing mystery, drop us a line today!