To reduce water use every time you turn on the faucet, install efficient faucet aerators. Look for 1.5 gallons per minute (gpm) for kitchens and 0.5 gpm for bathrooms. By reducing use from the standard 2.2 gpm faucet, says the U.S. EPA, a household could save as much as 700 gallons of water a year. And since much of that water is hot, this also saves in heating costs. A WaterSense label means you’re doing your part.
We invite readers to send us their water-saving strategies to share by emailing WaterSaver@independent.com.