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10 Easy Ways to Conserve Water

Sustainable Home

Last Updated on November 5, 2022

Today we’ll be sharing 10 easy ways to conserve water so you can get started right away. Water is one of our most valuable resources, and it’s important that we commit to water conservation!

Not only will these water saving tips help you save money, but they will keep our Earth healthy by limiting the use of energy that is used to keep it clean! Everything from using water-saving shower heads to eating better can aid in water conservation.

conserving water
Iā€™m super excited to be partnering with Nebia for this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own for more information please see my disclosure policy.

water conservation

Iā€™ve spent quite a lot of time living in both California and Texas. Most of those years have been drought years, so water conservation has always been drilled into my head.

Even though I didnā€™t grow up in the most eco-conscious household, turning off the lights and shutting off the water were discussed frequently.

One of my most vivid memories from childhood was being at my grandmaā€™s house when an ice cube fell on the ground.

Instead of picking it up and putting it in the sink, she placed it in a gorgeous hand-painted pitcher. She kept that pitcher near the sink to collect any rogue water, which sheā€™d later use to water the plants.

I remember thinking how clever she was ā€” that even something as small as a single ice cube didnā€™t go to waste.

And, I mean, we all know our grandparents were the original zero wasters. They came up with creative ways to conserve water before anyone realized the importance of it.

saving water shower heads with nebia

Nebiaā€™s mission is to fundamentally change the way we interact with water.

The Nebia Spa Shower 2.0 saves 65% of water compared to conventional showerheads.

Instead of a stream of water like with traditional shower heads, Nebia has developed a superior shower experience through atomization, the process of breaking up water into tiny droplets.

This solution creates the sensation of more water while actually using much less.

Iā€™m from the South and cannot abide by flat hair. When I first learned about Nebia, I was intrigued, but a bit worried about hair volume.

Low flow tends to = low volume, but Nebiaā€™s engineers have figured out a way to save water while keeping my hair as bouncy as ever!

Iā€™ve been using the second-generation of Nebiaā€™s award-winning shower system, the Nebia Spa Shower 2.0, for a little over a month now and am so happy with its performance.

Nebia is a bit different from other showers. Because billions of water droplets are spread out over a greater area, the shower head provides 2X fuller coverage than a standard shower. So swapping shower heads is always going to be one of the best ways to conserve water!

water saving tips

Add some eucalyptus to the shower, let the steam build up, and boom ā€” instant spa. (Also great for cold season!)

According to Nebia’s Calculator, between Justin and I, weā€™ll be saving $177.13, as well as the equivalent of 102,200 glasses of drinking water and 23.6 days of heat for the average home each year!

My favorite part about the Nebia 2.0, besides the massive water savings, is that itā€™s designed to be used by people of different heights.

Its arm glides 25 inches up and down, so you can always position it at the perfect height for you.

As a bonus, this means itā€™s SO easy to jump in the shower for a quick rinse without having to worry about getting my hair wet.

The Nebia Spa Shower 2.0 is currently available with free shipping on North American orders through November 1.

water conservation

why save water?

Now, I know weā€™ve all heard that we should conserve water, but have you ever thought about why? Water is a renewable resource, so whatā€™s the big deal?

71% of the Earthā€™s surface is covered in water, but only 3% of that is fresh water.

And, of that 3%, most of it is locked under the Earthā€™s surface ā€” in ice, the atmosphere, and the soil.

Only .007% of the water on our planet is available to fuel and feed its 6.8 billion people. (source) As our population rates climb, this water is spread out among more people.

As our climate changes, droughts and water scarcity are becoming more common, so weā€™ll have even less water to split among us.

Average daily indoor water use in the US is around 60 gallons per person per day, but our virtual water use ā€” in other words, how much water goes into the food we eat, the clothes we wear, and the products we use every day ā€” is in the thousands of gallons.

Don’t believe me? Check out the Water Footprint Calculator ā€” it’s very eye-opening. The US Average is 2,220 Gallons/day. Think you can beat it?

My water footprint came to 1,262 Gallons/day, which is still a lot. I would love to try and cut it down with my water saving tips.

Seeing how much actual water and virtual water I use each day has inspired me to rethink my water usage and think of ways to save water.

10 easy ways to conserve water

shower head

1. turn off the tap:

Whether you’re brushing your teeth, your hands, or the dishes ā€” turn the water off when youā€™re not using it.

Keep a basin in your sink to catch excess water or to rinse dishes.

2. install a saving water shower head:

Hate the idea of low-flow showerheads but want to dramatically reduce your water usage?

Consider switching out your old showerhead with the Nebia Spa Shower 2.0.

I rent, and the two things I always do when moving into a new rental are to change the lightbulbs to LEDs and switch out the shower head.

It only took about 15 minutes to install Nebia, and the uninstallation is even easier ā€” so it will be really easy to put the original shower head back once we move out.

These two simple swaps can save you hundreds of dollars and lots of water!

Beyond switching your shower head, you should also try showering less frequently.

Most people shower WAY too much. You shouldn’t shower daily unless you’re very sweaty or very dirty.

It’s not good for your skin, so if you’re prone to getting stinky, just wash your body and skip washing your hair.

RELATED: 8 Tips for Eco-Friendly Apartment Living

in shower with water saving shower head

3. shower with a bucket:

Even if you have an amazing water-saving showerhead like Nebia, you probably still spend a minute or two waiting for the shower to heat up.

Keep a bucket in the shower so you can catch the extra water. You can use it to water your plants or flush the toilet.

4. run it full:

When it comes to washing dishes or a load of clothes, run it full! Itā€™s the most efficient way to run your appliances.

5. change your landscape:

Unlike these other ways to save water, this isnā€™t a quick change.

It will take some time to update your landscaping, but if youā€™re up for the challenge, you can make a huge impact in this area.

Try to reduce the amount of grass you have.

Manicured lawns arenā€™t the most sustainable choice. Instead, opt for drought-friendly lawn space or convert it into an edible garden so you’re able to grow local food! Water conservation and your own garden together? Yep, sign me up!

6. keep it real:

Now, the majority of the water we use, we donā€™t even see. Itā€™s called virtual water, and itā€™s used mostly on the industry side of things.

The next half of my tips are going to focus on the other side of water use.

Use real plates and cloth napkins.

You might think more water is used to wash these items, but it actually takes 8 gallons of water to make one paper plate, whereas the average dishwasher only uses 6 gallons of water. 

7. watch what you eat:

Agriculture accounts for 65% of the world’s freshwater. It takes 1,910 gallons to produce just ONE pound of beef. (BCRC)ā 

One of the best things you can do is to limit the number of animal products that you consume.

If youā€™re just starting out on your eco-friendly journey, start small.

Try incorporating one or two meatless meals a week, or start with vegan breakfasts and lunches.

Here are a few other low-water crops you can incorporate into your diet: corn, sweet potatoes, amaranth, and black-eyed peas.

eucalyptus in shower

8. watch what you wear:

Did you know it takes A LOT of water to grow cotton? According to National Geographic, it takes 2,700 gallons of water to make ONE cotton t-shirt.ā 

One of the most eco-friendly things you can do is shop for clothing second-hand, be happy with what you already own, or host a clothing swap with friends.

Not only will you save $$, but it’s one of the easiest ways to conserve water!

9. opt for recycled:

Did you know it takes 37 gallons of water to create ONE roll of toilet paper? (source)

When it comes to toilet paper, opt for recycled content instead of virgin paper.

Another great way to reduce the amount of toilet paper you use is to get a bidet attachment.

They’re fairly inexpensive, starting around $35, and will pay for themselves in a month or two.

They’re really easy to install at home, and it’s honestly been one of my favorite zero-waste swaps!

10. choose reusables:

I know this sounds similar to keepin’ it real ā€” and it is ā€” but I want to emphasize disposable “convenience” products like water bottles and paper coffee cups.

It takes 3 liters of water to create ONE liter of bottled waterā . (Academy of Sciences)

ā Instead of choosing disposables, invest in one nice reusable bottle that’s insulated. You can carry your water and get a coffee when youā€™re out.

Since itā€™s insulated, itā€™s perfect for keeping hot drinks hot and cold drinks cold so you only have to carry one bottle with you.

How many of these tips have you implemented in your life?

frequently asked questions

how can I reuse cooking water to help save on water?

Instead of pouring the hot water down the drain, allow it to cool. Then use it to water your indoor or outdoor plants. It works in gardens too!

what are some more ways to save water?

There are many ways to help with water conservation ā€” you just have to start thinking about how much you use and ways to cut back. Rewear clothing and reuse towels before each wash! Skip drying your clothes in the dryer and opt to hang them up outdoors or on an indoor drying rack instead. The list goes on and on!

Most bathtubs take around 70 (or more) gallons to fill up. That is a lot of water!

I want to give another shoutout and thank you to Nebia for sponsoring this post and introducing me to their saving water shower head.

If youā€™ve been looking for an easy way to save water without sacrificing your shower experience, Nebia 2.0 is for you.

Now that you’ve learned ways to conserve water, you can get started today!

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  1. I just found out that my Water Footprint is 1366 gallons per day, which is below the average by almost 900 gallons. My goal is to get 1000 gallons below the average and eventually be at 1000 gallons or below for my own footprint. As always, thanks for your post and for inspiring me to find more ways to live as environmentally friendly as possible!