With most of central and eastern Canada experiencing a drought this summer, it is inevitable that we turn our attention to water and the need to conserve it. Unfortunately, the lack of rain has been intensified by the extreme heat of late. It is no wonder that farmers are worried for their crops and consumers are preparing for increased produce prices.

While we cannot control the weather, we certainly have power over our own actions. By making small adjustments to our lifestyle habits, we can reduce our consumption and minimize waste. As a bonus, we can expect to save money by introducing these small changes.

Simple Changes Make a Big Difference

1. Cut the length of your shower by a few minutes. You can install a waterproof timer in your shower stall to help keep you on track. Also, consider keeping a bucket in the shower to catch the water running down the drain. In turn, this excess can be used to wash the car or water outdoor plants;
2. Flush less often and do not use your toilet as a garbage bin. Flushing away 6 gallons of water each time you dispose of facial tissue is not necessary;
3. Install a rain barrel to collect precipitation (weather permitting), which can be used again to water plants or lawns, and wash cars;
4.  If you boil corn or potatoes on the stove for dinner, reuse the boiled water once cooled instead of pouring it down the sink;
5. Turn off the tap when brushing your teeth or while lathering your hands with soap;
6. Do not pressure-wash your driveway or patio, sweep instead;
7. Only run your dishwasher on a full load;
8. Let your grass turn yellow! Who cares if your yard does not look perfect? Your bank account and neighbours will thank you.

While it does take some discipline to make these changes at first, the savings will justify the effort. Eventually these new behaviours will become habit and you will no longer notice. No change is too small either, so don’t think that your actions will not have an impact. Every effort adds up. If every individual tries to save more and use less, the overall effect will be significant and we will all benefit.  Every drop counts and so does every penny, so conserve water this summer and benefit from the savings!