Water is a basic resource needed for optimal living. According to the McKinsey & Company-backed 2030 Water Resources Group, the world’s water demand is expected to exceed supply by 40% within the next 20 years.1 Water cost has risen 30% in the last 9 years. However, drinking tap water is always a better alternative to buying bottled water.
The City of McKinney just completed a water quality report stating the following: The City of McKinney’s water system is rated “superior” by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) – TCEQ’s highest rating – and meets or exceeds all state and federal drinking water requirements. Hence, not only McKinney’s tap water is “superior” but you can make some changes in your house to save water.
HOW TO SAVE WATER INDOORS
Trinity Presbyterian Church of McKinney is an Earth Care Congregation. Our congregation participates in several RE-duce, RE-use and Re-cycle activities throughout the year. This summer, the Creation Care Team at TPC has a few tips for you to consume water wisely and save money:
- Replace old toilets. The average household can conserve 13,000 gallons of water and save $110 annually by switching out their old toilet for a new, more efficient model. Older toilets use more water.
- Use the dishwasher wisely. Washing dishes by hand can actually waste water because so many keep the faucet running as they wash. Energy efficient dishwashers can save 30% more water if only run when full. Here’s the thing, first you must scrape the food left into the trash (especially grease) and avoid the disposal. City pipes often clog with all of the food and grease sent down the disposal.
- Fix all household leaks. One faucet leaking at a rate of a drop a second can waste 3,000 gallons of water annually, the equivalent of 180 showers. That’s money literally down the drain!
- Choose ENERGY STAR appliances when it’s time to replace. Older washing machines use 23 gallons of water per load compared to 13 gallons needed for newer more efficient models.
- Use efficient showerheads and aerators. A standard showerhead can use up to a half gallon more per minute equaling over 2,500 wasted gallons annually. Switching to more efficient faucets and aerators showing the WaterSense label will conserve 700 gallons of water annually.
HOW TO SAVE WATER OUTDOORS
If you spend time outdoors, make sure you plan ahead and take enough water with you. Consider switching to reusable/refillable beverage bottles when you’re on the go. This way, not only you cut the use of plastic water bottles which saves you money, but you’ll be saving the water and other resources consumed through manufacturing and transporting that bottle to your hand. And if you live in McKinney, you are in one of the cities in the country with superior water quality, the greater the reason to drink tap water vs. bottled water. This summer, make good use of your indoor water and stay hydrated the healthy way!
Trinity Cares for Creation.
[1] http://www.mckinsey.com/business-functions/sustainability-and-resource-productivity/our-insights/charting-our-water-future
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