Saving water: How to conserve water in your kitchen

How to conserve water while washing dishes
• Don’t run a dishwasher that’s partly loaded; make sure that it’s full before you turn it on.
• Wash dishes by hand when you only have a few. Even better, wash all of your dishes by hand if you don't own an energy-efficient dishwasher - it uses less water.
• Don't leave the water running when rinsing dishes. Use a pan of water, or place a stopper in the sink for washing and rinsing dishes and cooking implements rather than turning on the water faucet each time a rinse is needed.
• When washing dishes, use the least amount of detergent possible - this minimizes rinse water needed.
• Soak heavily soiled pots and pans instead of letting the water run while you scrape them clean.
• Capture tap water: while you wait for hot water catch the flow in a watering can to use later on houseplants or your garden.

How to conserve water with kitchen upgrades
• Consider installing a hot water dispenser on your sinks so you don't have to let the water run while it heats up. This will reduce water-heating costs for your household. Learn how to add your own hot water dispenser on our sister site, CanadianHomeWorkshop.com >>
• Fix leaky faucets and plumbing joints.

Other ways to conserve water
• Use the garbage disposal less and the garbage more – better yet, compost! Limit the use of a garbage disposal by saving food scraps and run the disposal once to conserve water.
• Keep a jug or pitcher of drinking water in the refrigerator instead of running tap water until it is cool.
• Small kitchen savings - from not making too much coffee or letting ice cubes melt in a sink - can add up.

The best way to conserve water is to be conscious of how you are using it. Small changes around the house can add up to big savings for the environment.