March 22 was World Water Day, a day designated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization in 1992 to focus attention on the importance of freshwater and advocate for the sustainable management of freshwater resources Wilfrid Laurier University’s Sustainability Office has put together five easy-yet-effective tips to help you conserve water.
Tip 1: Turn Off the Tap
Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth, washing your hands or shaving. It can save up to 3.8 litres of water per minute.
Tip 2: Switch to a Water-Saving Shower Head
The average shower head uses almost 20 litres of water per minute, while a water-saving shower head uses only seven. You can also set the timer on your phone to shorten your showers.
Tip 3: Wash Full Loads of Laundry
When it’s time for laundry, wash full loads instead of smaller ones. If you need to wash a small load, adjust the setting on your washing machine accordingly and skip the extra rinse cycle.
Tip 4: Fill Your Dishwasher
Be sure to fill your dishwasher before running it and soak pots and pans in a small amount of soapy water before loading them. This will reduce the amount of water the dishwasher will need to clean them thoroughly.
Tip 5: Repurpose Dropped Ice Cubes
If an ice cube manages to evade your glass and hit the floor, don’t let it go to waste. Put it in a planter and let it melt.
Did you know?
In 2018, Laurier received a Water Efficiency Excellence Award for water conservation resulting from the Laurier Energy Efficiency Program (LEEP).