You depend on it every day, from the minute you wake up to the moment you finally lay your head to rest at night. And yet, chances are you don’t even give it a second thought as you go about your day, until it isn’t working as it should.

We’re speaking, of course, of your home plumbing, one of the most vital amenities of them all.

But in other areas of the world, clean, safe drinking water and proper sanitation aren’t as easy to come by. In fact, 750 million people lack access to safe drinking water, and about 2.6 billion people – that’s about half the developing world – don’t even have a simple latrine.

So what can you do about it? Well, a lot actually. You can start by supporting World Plumbing Day, and celebrate the crucial role that the plumbing industry plays in our health, safety, and comfort. More importantly, we urge you to take steps in your own home and community to conserve water so that more of it is available for generations to come.

Here are 10 things you can do today:

1. Check your toilets, fixtures, and water-using appliances for leaks and repair them immediately. A simple faucet leak can waste gallons of clean water a day, and as much as 3,000 gallons a year.
2. Don’t use the toilet as a garbage pail. Never flush wipes, medications, cigarettes, or other debris down the toilet. Not only is it wasteful, those items can clog your pipes, and pollute our water supply.
3. Use your water meter to check for leaks you may not hear or see. Check the meter before and after a 2-3 hour period when no water is being used. If the readings don’t match, you probably have a hidden leak.
4. Invest in water-saving faucets, showerheads, and toilets. If upgrades are not financially possible at this time, install aerators on faucets and an adjustable toilet flapper so that you can adjust the flush rate.
5. Insulate your water pipes so water can heat up faster, meaning you waste less water and energy waiting for it to get hot.
6. Don’t let the faucet run while shaving, brushing teeth, or washing dishes.
7. Cut back on your shower time, even if only by a couple of minutes. Taking a 10- versus 15-minute shower can save as much as 40 gallons of water. Set a timer to help you stay on track.
8. Run the dishwasher or washing machine only when you have full loads.
9. Garbage disposals require a lot of water to work properly. Instead, start a compost pile of food scraps. Not only will you conserve water, but you’ll have a healthier start to your spring garden.
10. Find creative ways to use up water that you’d normally pour down the drain. For example, use pasta water to water your garden.

At Boden Plumbing, we have the experience, resources, and commitment to help you and your family live just as comfortably as you like, while still cutting back on water and energy consumption. To learn more, contact us by phone or email today.