7 Ways to Conserve Water in the Kitchen

Daily kitchen chores contribute to the 9,400 gallons of water the average U.S. household wastes annually. Leaks, outdated faucets, and cracked plumbing pipes account for much of this waste, so it’s essential to inspect your plumbing periodically.  Contact your local Roto-Rooter professional so someone can check it out for you.

In the meantime, here are seven ways to conserve water in the kitchen:

Don't Let the Water Run While Doing Dishes

One of the easiest methods for conserving water in the kitchen is to control water use during dishwashing. How you accomplish this depends on whether you wash dishes by hand or with a dishwasher.

Smart Dishwashing

Dishwashers 

If you typically rinse dishes before putting them in the dishwasher, consider skipping this unnecessary step from here on out. Doing so could save up to 10 gallons of water per cycle. You can save even more water by only running your dishwasher when it's full. 

Hand Washing Tips

Many people keep the tap running when washing dishes by hand. Doing so can waste up to 20 gallons of water at a time. Instead, fill the sink with water, close your taps, and refill the sink when the water starts getting dirty. If you want to rinse off dishes, fill one sink with soapy water and another (or a large bowl) with clean water. 

Reuse Water

Graywater describes any wastewater besides toilet water and includes water from showers, bathtubs, laundry machines, and cooking water. You can reduce water usage by using graywater to water flower beds and other nonedible plants. 

Upgrade to Water-Efficient Dishwashers

When purchasing a new dishwasher, look for appliances with Energy Star certification. Such machines are water- and energy-efficient and use 3.2 gallons per cycle instead of the federal standard of 5.0 gallons.

Check for Leaks

A leaky faucet that drips at a rate of one drop per second wastes a surprising amount of water: up to 3,000 gallons annually. Check for leaks as part of your routine home maintenance, and fix any leaks immediately. Often, all that’s needed is a new faucet cartridge or washer.

Rethink Food Preparation Habits

Simple changes to how you prepare food offer ways to conserve water in the kitchen. While none of these suggestions save much water at once, the cumulative impact on your water bill can be significant:

• Steaming veggies uses less water than boiling, and your veggies retain more nutrients. 
• Fill a bowl to wash vegetables instead of rinsing them in a colander.
• Thaw frozen food in the refrigerator instead of running water over it. 
• Make one-pot meals to reduce the amount of water needed to clean up. 

Keep a Full Pitcher of Water in the Fridge

Keep a pitcher of water in the fridge for drinking. Doing so gives you quick access to cold water without running the tap to reach the desired temperature. Start stocking up on those pitchers, and always keep one (or multiple ones) in your refrigerator!

Small Steps Lead to Big Gains

Conserving water in the kitchen is less about making massive changes and more about small but consistent changes to how you approach kitchen chores. And don't forget about smart home faucets! This video will introduce you to the efficiencies it can bring to your home. 

For more information on sealing those cracked pipes or ending your leaky kitchen appliances, contact your local Roto-Rooter professional today.