How to Save Water in the Bathroom
Using Less Water Can Still be Sanitary and Save Money
May 19, 2008
Long before modern bathrooms, there was the water closet. In 1755, it was defined by Webster’s dictionary as “1: a compartment or room with a toilet 2: a toilet bowl and its accessories.” While the term water closet is no longer used and the definition seems dated, bathrooms really are water closets. All three major areas of the bathroom are devoted to the expenditure of water: the sink, the toilet, the shower/bathtub. As a result finding ways to conserve water in the bathroom is essential for both the wallet and the environment.
Saving Water at the Sink
- Turn off the water while you brush your teeth. You’ve heard this standard water-saving strategy before but it never hurts to be reminded.
- Turn off the water while you wash your hands.
- To wash your hands effectively and use less water, fill the palm of one hand with water and turn off the water.
- Add soap and lather well.
- Posters found at schools and clinics recommend lathering your hands for at least 15 seconds (the amount of time it takes to sing "Happy Birthday"). Remember to lather between your fingers and round your wrists.
- Turn on water and rinse quickly.
- Running water for the recommended fifteen seconds uses approximately 41.69 ounces of water on average (assuming the water is only on for fifteen seconds).
- Turning off the water while you lather uses 11.26 ounces of water on average. By allowing the water to run while you wash your hands you waste more than three times the water than if you turn off the water while you wash your hands.
- Consider purchasing a low flush toilet or converting a standard toilet to low flush.
- Or use the following water saving rule in your bathroom: "If it's yellow, let it mellow; if it's brown, flush it down!" While this strategy is repellant to many, it is a safe, water-saving alternative that is practiced in many countries outside the U.S.
Save Water in the Shower
- Install a low-flow shower head and always keep your showers as short as possible.
- If you take a bath do not fill the tub up any higher than necessary. Consider saving the water for your plants.
Information About Hand-Washing Water Analysis
The water-saving strategy was tested three times over a basin in the sink. The water was then poured into a pitcher with incremental measurements. The average water usage of the three tests was 11.26 ounces (nearly one and a half cups).
This strategy works equally well with bar soap and liquid soap.
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