Water may be everywhere, but with the growing consumption rates, there may not be much of the resource left in the near future. Freshwater being a precious resource, it is important to focus our collective attention on water-saving strategies.
While estimates do vary, in the U.S. the average person uses about 80-100 gallons of water per day. Clearly, there is a need to regulate and control water consumption in apartment communities and residences through the adoption of low-cost, smart water-saving strategies.
Water-saving tips for apartment managers
Here are some of the smart water-saving tips for apartment managers:
1. Monitor water usage in real-time
For apartment managers looking to conserve water, keeping track of water consumption and leaks that lead to unexpectedly high water bills is a priority. Installing a sophisticated water management system like WaterSignal provides real time water consumption data with daily and hourly alerts, enabling you to quantify your efforts and achieve your water-saving goals.
2. Install water-saving shower heads
Another smart way of saving water is to install water-efficient shower heads. Replacing a traditional 6 gallon shower head with an efficient 1.8 gallon model can save as much as 47.5 gallons for a 10-minute shower.
3. Install low-flush toilets
Older toilets can use anywhere from 3.5 to 7 gallons of water with every flush, accounting for almost 30 percent of water use in a home. While low-flow toilets are often more expensive to install and maintain than traditional toilet fixtures, they can save a significant amount of money over time – especially in areas where water rates are on the rise.
4. Insulate your water pipes
Uninsulated water pipes can result in huge amounts of water loss. Non-insulated pipes reduce water temperature by 3.6 to 7.4 degrees, increasing the time for the flow of hot water, and wastes valuable water resources.
5. Install rain sensors
If your property has an irrigation system, installing rain sensors can be an efficient and inexpensive way to save water. Quick shut-off rain sensors activate at the touch of the first raindrops, using external impact-sensing monitors to reduce water waste and prevent overwatering.
This article is written by Luci, a part-time writer for 1stChoiceHotWater. She guest writes for a wide range of publications surrounding corporate social responsibility and environmental issues.
Edited for WaterSignal by Caleb LaPointe
