How To Save Water In The Kitchen
With the vast majority of our planet covered in water, it’s hard to believe we could ever have a scarcity. However, there are pockets of people throughout the world who experience water scarcity. People living in areas where water is scarce understand the importance of conservation. The good news is that we can get make a difference today by conserving water in the kitchen.
Everyday Water Conservation Begins In The Kitchen
When it comes to conserving water in the kitchen a few small steps can have a dramatic impact. Give these 10 best practices a try in your kitchen today to reduce water waste!
Always Run a Full Load In The Dishwasher
We get sometimes you just want to use your cereal bowl that’s currently resting in the dishwasher. But wait a minute before you press that button.
“The average dishwasher will use approximately 10 to 15 gallons of water per load.”
Remember dishwashers use their fair share of water, no matter how full they may be.
Don’t be fooled: A dripping faucet adds up!
Oh, I know what you’re thinking. I don’t need to fix that leaky tap just yet. It can wait until tomorrow… After all, it’s just a tiny drip. How much harm could it do?
Drip … Drip … drip
Besides being very annoying those drips can add up dramatically. For example, one household with 4 faucets that drip every minute could waste up to 138 gallons of water per year!
Invest in a Pitcher
Keep a container of drinking water in your refrigerator. A pitcher of water is ideal. With cold drinking water on hand, you’ll waste less than you would while waiting for the temperature to cool down.
Use The Right Amount of Water
When cooking, pay special attention to read the instructions. And only use the amount of water required. This reduces water waste while straining your food.
Repurpose Cooking Water
You can’t use just any type of cooking water. Only, unsalted cooking water (from pasta, potatoes or vegetables) can be repurposed to water plants. Of course, let it cool to room temperature first before transferring to plants.
Defrost that Food!
Zap your food in the microwave or let it thaw overnight. Avoid using running water to thaw your dinner.
Kick Your Water Bottle Habit
It takes 1.5 gallons to manufacturer one plastic water bottle (contents notwithstanding). Instead, get a water filter for your drinking water. This will help you save water in the kitchen.
Eat More Vegetables
Did you know it takes a considerable amount of water to produce agriculture?
In fact, agriculture is responsible for 80% of all water consumed.
Eating lower on the food chain is a good strategy for reducing the amount of water required to meet your dietary needs.
Ditch That Last Cup Of Coffee
Or, if satisfying your coffee fix is a must, opt for tea instead. Since coffee has one of the highest water footprints per pound! Think about this!
It takes about 37 gallons of water to grow the coffee beans and process them to make one cup of coffee.
Repurpose Raw Vegetable Waste
If you have space rather than tossing vegetable or fruit waste out, use it to compost!
Compost is spongy and absorbent. A hundred pounds of average soil (a 1×10-foot row tilled six inches deep) with a pound of compost mixed in will hold an additional 33 pounds (4 gallons) of water. Take the organic content to five pounds, and that hundred pounds of soil will hold nearly two hundred pounds (25 gallons) of water! Compost is an excellent way to increase the water holding power of root systems, which is vital to growth.
Do the environment a favor and give these 10 best practices a try to conserve water in the kitchen!
Recommended Reading: Water Conservation Facts You Never Knew Existed!
