Did you know that Oklahoma is dealing with serious dry weather?
In fact, a 2020 report by The Water Resources Board revealed that around 30% of Oklahoma’s municipal water goes towards domestic usage, including bathroom utilities.
The best way to remain secure and backed up when there’s no running water is simple: a bathroom that helps you save and conserve water.
This is exactly what we’ll talk about below.
Key Takeaways
- In Oklahoma, drought is a big problem, and water is running low.
- Fixing leaks, dual-flush toilets, and faucet aerators lower unnecessary water usage.
- Greywater systems reuse shower and sink water for gardens or toilets.
- Rainwater harvesting helps you collect rain and use it at home.
Why Water Conservation is Important in Oklahoma's Drought Conditions
The Drought Situation in Oklahoma
Oklahoma is, in general, very dry, but in the last couple of years, the situation has worsened.
Put simply, there won’t be enough water for everyone if we all keep doing what we’re doing now.
At the same time, every part of your life needs water, so it’s clear that we have a big problem to solve.
Farms don’t have enough to grow plants, and animals don’t have much to drink. People may not even get clean drinking water in their homes soon, and the best way to fix this problem is to make better use of the water we consume every day.
Importance of conserving water
Water conservation is a must in Oklahoma – at least in recent years.
For example, standard toilets use approximately 7 gallons of water per flush, while low-flow toilets use only 1.6 gallons per flush. We flush our toilets at least 10 times a day, even more, if we have a larger family and more bathrooms.
It’s estimated that the average American uses about 150 gallons of potable water a day.
The fact is, you don’t have to flush the toilet, water the plants, wash the driveway, or shower with potable water!
Tips for Conserving Water in the Bathroom
Fix Leaks And Drips
Check your bathroom for any leaks or drips.
A dripping tap can waste a lot of water over time. One small drip can waste up to 20 gallons per day! That’s too much in drought conditions.
Always turn the taps off tight after use to prevent them from dripping.
And if you have water leaks, fix them as soon as possible. Call a plumber if you cannot do it yourself. It will help conserve water and lower your bills, too.
Dual-Flush Toilets
These toilets have two buttons for flushing. One button uses less water for liquid waste. The other button uses more water for solid waste.
In many homes, dual-flush toilets cut the amount of water used by half.
This makes them a great pick for your bathroom in Oklahoma’s dry months. They work well and help in saving our precious water resources.
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Faucet Aerators
Faucet aerators are great to save water and very easy to install – they fit on the end of your faucet.
How they work is simple…
They add air to the water flow so it cuts down the amount of water coming out, while at the same time, it still feels strong.
Greywater Systems
Greywater systems are great for water conservation.
They use water from your sinks, showers, and washing machines to water your garden without you having to use potable water to do it. This keeps the water in use and stops it from going to waste.
You’ll need a special system to clean the greywater before you use it on plants. These systems are safe and highly eco-friendly, but more importantly, it means you don’t need as much water from the municipal supply during drought conditions in Oklahoma.
By far, the best advantage of getting a greywater system is that you’ll save A LOT of money on your utility bills.
Rainwater Harvesting
Instead of letting all that rainwater go in the soil or the main sewer lines, here’s a better thing you can do.
Ensure the gutters lead to a water tank where you can store that rainwater, treat it if you want to, and use it to water your plants, wash your car or driveway, use it in laundry rooms or toilets, or even water your lawn.
Using rainwater at home means less need for the city’s water supply, saving you a lot of money in the long run on utility bills.
Further Reading: 5 Reasons You Quickly Need To Fix A Leaky Roof In Tulsa
Conclusion
If you already had in mind to remodel your bathroom, the best thing you could do is make it more water-efficient and install some of these features as well.
Most of them are cheap, quick to install, and will save you a lot of money down the road.
Here at Unique Renovations, we’ve been helping homeowners with their new bathrooms for a long time, and we’ve installed a lot of water conservation features for homeowners in Oklahoma.