Water

Although we, in Mammoth Lakes, have had a big Winter, water is still a concern.

Water is a finite resource that’s both essential to our survival and in short supply. In the United States, water shortages are already an issue for the Western United States, but as the population continues to grow, other areas will be affected as well. According to the EPA, every American uses an average of 100 gallons a day – enough to fill 1,600 drinking glasses – so there’s plenty of room for improvement! The EPA created its WaterSense program, which labels products and services that meet water efficiency criteria and perform well, to make conservation easier. The program is in its infancy, but will certify showerheads, urinals, and other equipment in the future. Saving water will also make you money. The EPA reports the average household spends as much as $500 a year on its water and sewer bill, which, by just making simple changes, could be reduced by an average of $170.


Here are some examples:

Don’t let water run when brushing your teeth, washing your face, or shaving. The EPA estimates that you can save 8 gallons of water a day or 240 a month by turning off your tap while you brush your teeth in the morning and evening.

Take shorter showers. Don’t fill the tub up all the way when taking baths, and immediately stopper the drain. You can adjust the temperature as you fill the tub. According to the EPA, a five minute shower uses 10 to 25 gallons of water and it takes 70 gallons to fill a tub.

Don’t let the tap water run to get cold drinking water. Store it in the refrigerator.

When washing dishes by hand, fill the sink with soapy water instead of letting the tap water run.

Run dishwashers and washing machines only when full. Remember to adjust load sizes when you’re washing clothes.

Fix leaks and drips. Leaky faucets dripping one drip per second can waste more than 3,000 gallons of water each year, and a leaky toilet can waste about 200 gallons of water every day, according to the EPA.

Buy low-flow shower heads and faucets. See Consumer Reports for performance ratings. You don’t have to replace entire fixtures. For faucets, you can screw in a aerator. For showers, you’ll need to replace the showerhead. Look for the WaterSense label on faucets and aerators.

Wash your car by hand with a bucket of water.

Sweep your sidewalk and driveway instead of hosing it down.

Don’t pour unused water down the sink; use it to water plants or your garden, or give clean, unused water to pets.

Install low flow toilets, especially if your toilet was made before 1992. The average American home uses more water for flushing the toilet than showering and could save more than 16,500 gallons of water every year by replacing a traditional toilet with a WaterSense model. Look for the WaterSense label as a guarantee that you’re purchasing a high-performing, water-efficient modal. See Consumer Reports for performance ratings. Recycle your old toilet.

Don’t let water run when taking showers. Get wet, turn off the water while you’re soaping up,and then turn the water on to rinse off.

References/ Resources:

EPA WaterSense Program, www.epa.gov/watersense. You’ll find basic information on water conservation strategies, water-saving product information, and a quiz to determine how much you know about water efficiency.

H2OUSE:Water Saver Home, www.h2ouse.net, developed by the California Urban Water Conservation Council. This site offers a virtual tour to show you water-saving opportunities in every area of your home.

Please share your thoughts by leaving a comment or call me at 760-934-5088 to talk.

For information on Mammoth Lakes real estate, please log on to my real estate website at www.easternsierraproperties.com