Tuesday Tip: Reduce Your Shower Time

Tip: Reduce Showers to 5 Minutes or Less

The average shower length in America is approximately eight minutes. A standard shower can use about seven to ten gallons of water per minute, while a low-flow shower uses about two to four gallons per minute. By shortening your lathering and routine to five minutes, your water usage will drop six to thirty gallons per shower.

Do a little more math: that translates into thousands of gallons saved per year for just one person. Get the whole family involved and you’re like a team of water warriors. Taking shorter showers will also save you money on water, heating, and sewer bills.

Using less water allows more to stay in the ground or in a reservoir, which in turn helps to support wildlife and preserve H2O for future use. Even if you live in a place where it rains a lot, there may be a water shortage. Concerns are rising that there may not be enough clean water to support population growth. Reduced mountain snow pack and earlier run-off driven by rising temperatures are affecting available water supply, even in areas that don’t technically have droughts or restrictions. At least 36 states expect water shortages in the next five years.

To take shorter showers, keep track of the time. Set your watch alarm, use a kitchen timer, or install something more permanent.

Some devices made specifically for showers automatically shut off the water after five minutes, and won’t allow the water back on for a set period of time. No cheating permitted.

This post comes to you from my friends at Practically Green!

For more fab green tips, or to create your own personalized action plan – check them out  :D

Image Credit:

http://mazzeigroup.com/picking-the-right-shower-head/