Ten Facts About the Water We Waste




As the globe’s temperature rises and the earth’s weather patterns go haywire, water is quickly becoming a hot topic in the US and elsewhere. Floods are sweeping through new areas, while others are drying out faster than ever. We’ve long had the luxury of holding a cavalier attitude about the water we use, and more often than not that attitude has led us to unnecessary waste and pollution of our water.



  • Americans now use 127 percent more water than we did in 1950.
  • About 95 percent of the water entering our homes goes down the drain.
  • Running the tap while brushing your teeth can waste 4 gallons of water.
  • Older toilets can use 3 gallons of clean water with every flush, while new toilets use as little as 1 gallon.
  • Leaky faucets that drip at the rate of one drop per second can waste up to 2,700 gallons of water each year.
  • A garden hose or sprinkler can use almost as much water in an hour as an average family of four uses in one day.
  • A water-efficient dishwasher will use as little a 4 gallons per wash cycle, whereas some older models use up to 13 gallons per cycle.
  • Some experts estimate that more than 50 percent of landscape water use goes to waste due to evaporation or runoff caused by over-watering.
  • Many people in the world exist on 3 gallons of water per day or less. We can use that amount in one flush of the toilet.
  • Over a quarter of all the clean, drinkable water you use in your home is used to flush the toilets

Dishwasher: Dishwashers can waste so much water if you run it when it is not full. A way to prevent this is to wash your dishes without use of the dishwasher. If you do need to use a dishwasher, make sure it is completely full before you turn it on. If you can buy a new dishwasher, invest in an Energy Star or other energy efficient dishwashers.



Brushing Teeth / Washing Dishes WITH the Water Running: DO NOT keep water running while brushing your teeth/ doing the dishes. When you brush your teeth, wet the toothbrush first and turn the water off immediately. And use a natural toothpaste, like Tom’s of Maine. Only use the water to rinse. Same for dish washing. Scrub the dishes without the water on, and then turn the water on to rinse off the soap. I hope you are using a Biodegradable Soap, like Seventh Generation. These soaps are made %100 naturally, and help the petrolium levels in the air. This is what is used in my house, and it makes me feel good about doing the dishes.

Shaving (Men): Men, you do not need the water running when you shave. Fill the sink up a little less than halfway, and use that water to rinse your blade.

Shaving (Women): When you shave in the shower, do you really need the water running? Turn off the water while you shave your legs. I put conditioner in my hair, fill cup with water, sit in the bathtub and shave, with the water off, while my hair is being conditioned!

If Its Yellow, Let it Mellow. If Its Brown, Flush it Down: Some people are bothered by this, but it is essential. Every time you flush the toilet, you waste 10 gallons of water. So why not just flush when necessary?


Car Wash: This may be hard for us city folks, but if you have a lawn, Wash your car on it! Use Biodegradable soap, like Simple Green’s Car Wash , and a bucket of water. Only turn on the hose for the final rinse. Your car will be clean, your lawn will be fed, and by doing this you know you did a lot to help the environment.

Leaky Toilets / Leaky Faucets: If you notice a leaky pipe, faucet, or toilet, get it fixed immediately. A leaky toilet, for example, can waste up to 200 gallons of water a DAY. So please, fix your water problems.

Bathtime! Bathtime is no longer Funtime: It wastes an unnecessary amount of water. an average shower uses 1/5 the amount of water that is needed for a bath! Teach kids to take showers early on. It all really adds up. So please, take a shower not a bath.

Using the Toilet as a Garbage Can: Do Not Do This! Throw out everything in a garbage can, even if it is tempting to just throw it in the toilet. Tissues, Hair, and Bugs are things that people generally throw away in the toilet, but they will be disposed if thrown away in the garbage can as well.

Hot Water: Only use hot water when absolutely necessary. Hot water uses a lot more energy, and it isn’t always necessary. So think about what is needed before turning that hot water knob!

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