April 22 is the 52nd anniversary of Earth Day, created in 1970 to bring attention to how we can protect the environment and be good citizens of the planet.

While there are many ways to protect the earth, we plumbers naturally think about water. According to the EPA, the average U.S. household uses 82 gallons of water per day, or 574 gallons per week. But with modest changes, the average family could easily save a minimum of 20% of their total water usage without breaking a sweat. We’ve compiled tips for simple changes that can make a huge difference.

Go Low Flow and Cut Your Water Usage in Half

Your bathroom represents multiple opportunities to conserve water. Replacing your shower head with a low-flow option can reduce your shower water consumption by 40 to 60 percent. Installing a water-efficient low-flush toilet can reduce your toilet water use by more than 50 percent.

Wait Until It’s Full

Whether it’s your dishwasher or washing machine, you can save water by only running them when they’re full. An average washing machine uses 30-40 gallons of water per load. Newer dishwashers consume about 3 gallons of water, while older models use about four times that per load. But even older dishwashers conserve more water than hand washing, which uses more than 25 gallons.

Don’t Leave It Running

Those few extra moments you take running the water is pure waste. Whether brushing your teeth or adjusting the temperature, consider not turning on the faucet until you’re ready to use your water.

Don’t Lose 50% of Your Outdoor Water to Evaporation

Avoid watering your lawn or garden in the middle of the day during peak temperatures. Between the heat, wind, and runoff, the EPA estimates half our outdoor water goes to waste. Using more efficient systems at the right time of day will optimize your water usage and ensure that your lawn and plants get the care they need.

Let an Expert Look for Leaks

Did you know that the average family can waste about 10,000 gallons of water annually or more from minor household leaks? The EPA estimates that we are losing nearly 900 billion gallons of water each year to simple leaks nationwide. That’s enough water to fill over 1.3 million Olympic swimming pools.

Why not do yourself and the Earth a favor this Earth Day? Contact us today so we can inspect your plumbing system to uncover leaks in your pipes or fittings while also sharing other water-conservation options so we can all help Mother Earth.