Most tips online for water conservation are for homeowners or offices and/or require some sort of really expensive water-saving gadget. Here are ways students can help conserve the world’s most precious resource with little effort and no cost!
In Dining Halls/Restaurants
1. Bring a reusable water bottle to dining halls to decrease the amount of cups that need to be washed.
2. Avoid food trays when possible.
At Home
3. Wash only full loads of laundry or combine with a roommate or friend.
That’s right, we’re giving you a legitimate excuse to put off doing laundry
4. Use a dishwasher (if you have one) instead of hand washing to use less running water.
This also works.
5. Only run the dishwasher when there is a full load. We’re also giving you an excuse for not doing dishes. Basically conserving water is an excellent way to save the environment and put off chores.
6. When thawing frozen foods, leave them on the counter or in the refrigerator instead of using running water. Just make sure you do it in advance!
7. Use “leftover” water from a drinking glass or from washing fruit and veggies to water plants.
8. Water plants in the early morning/late evening to decrease the amount of evaporation.
9. Have a leak or drip? Fill out an HDH Fix-It Request maintenance for your apartment (if you live off-campus) ASAP.
Showers
10. Try to shorten showers by at least 60 seconds.
Find a less wasteful place to contemplate life!
11. Wash your face in the shower.
12. Schedule showers for post-exercise/before bed to avoid taking multiple showers in a day.
Other
13. Use a commercial car wash (they use recycled water!) rather than using your hose.
Water conservation often means you get to sit down and relax and let machines do the work for you.
14. Report leaks on campus and in your neighborhood.
If you’re interested in learning more about water conservation or getting involved in water-saving on campus, check out AQUAholics Anonymous!