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PINCH OF GOODNESS Water-Saving Secrets FIVE WAYS TO CONSERVE WATER AT HOME. Spring is the ideal time to refresh your water habits at home. Cutting back on water usage not only helps lower your utility bills but also shows love to our planet. From turning off running faucets to repairing leaky pipes, small lifestyle changes can make a big splash. Want to make every drop count? Here are five ways to save water this spring. Look for leaks. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that households waste over one trillion gallons of water annually through leaks alone. To shrink this stat, regularly inspect your home and property for faulty faucets, showerheads, and taps. Addressing replacements and repairs promptly can stop gallons from slipping through the cracks. And don't overlook your toilets—while less obvious, they're often the biggest culprits of water waste. If yours makes unusual noises, trickles water after a flush, or needs a handle jiggle, you likely have a leak. Harvest rainwater. Put those spring showers to work and drastically decrease water use with a rain barrel. Simply place a plastic, stone, or wood container on level ground or under a downspout during downpours and watch it catch buckets of free water. You can then use your collection to water your yard and garden, clean outdoor surfaces, and more. Great for areas with heavy rainfall, harvesting reduces water and energy bills while preventing flooding and soil erosion. Just be sure to check local regulations, as some areas have rainwater collection restrictions. Be smart in the kitchen. Unfortunately, all your cooking, cleaning, and dishwashing have a ripple effect when it comes to water waste. Think about using your garbage disposal sparingly and composting food scraps instead. Reuse water from boiling pasta to hydrate plants or rinse produce. Install flow-controlled aerators on faucets, defrost food in the fridge as opposed to under running water, and start the dishwasher only when it's full. Wash clothes with care. Laundry is inevitable, but it doesn't have to be wasteful. Conserve water, a vital resource, and put an eco-friendly spin on laundry day by: • Washing clothes only when necessary. • Pre-treating stains to avoid rewashing. • Sticking to full loads. • Skipping extra rinse cycles. • Opting for cold water over hot. • Air-drying clothes. • Upgrading to energy-efficient appliances. Get into insulation. There's nothing worse than waiting for your shower water to warm up and witnessing perfectly good water go down the drain. But did you know this common problem can be easily fixed with some pipe insulation? Insulation helps retain the water's heat as it goes through your pipes, delivering hot water faster, so you waste less as you wait. DIY the insulation with your material of choice, or call in the pros to lighten your environmental footprint. COMING HOME MAGAZINE 29