Water Saving Tips: Kitchen
By: KFDX
Updated: January 14, 2013
Approximately 11% of in home water use occurs in the kitchen. Most of the water ends up down the drain but with a little modification to traditional kitchen processes you can save hundreds of gallons of water a year.
When washing dishes by hand, don't let the water run while rinsing. Fill one sink with wash water and the other with rinse water.
Repair dripping faucets as soon as possible.
Some refrigerators and ice-makers are cooled with wasted flows of water. Consider upgrading with air-cooled appliances for significant water savings.
Wash your fruits and vegetables in a pan of water instead of running water from the tap. Use the leftover water for watering indoor or outdoor plants.
Designate one glass for your drinking water each day or refill a water bottle. This will cut down on the number of glasses to wash.
Don't use running water to thaw food. Defrost food in the refrigerator for water efficiency and food safety.
Teach your children to turn off faucets tightly after each use. Dripping faucets can waste hundreds of gallons of water.
Soak pots and pans instead of letting the water run while you scrape them clean.
Install an instant water heater near your kitchen sink so you don't have to run the water while it heats up. In addition to saving water it will also reduce energy costs.
If your dishwasher is new, cut back on rinsing. Newer models clean more thoroughly than older ones>
Never run your dishwasher without a full load. A full load will save water, energy and detergent.
Don't pre-rinse dishes before loading them in the dishwasher. This will save 20 gallons per load.
Listen for dripping faucets. Fixing a leak can save 300 gallons a month or more.
When cooking food items in water use the least amount of water possible and keep the lid on the pan or pot. Use the leftover water as a start to soups, stews or watering plants.
If you accidentally drop ice cubes when filling your glass from the freezer, don't throw them in the sink. Drop them in a house plant instead.
Use your disposal sparingly. Consider composting your food waste with yard waste to create rich, fertile compost for trees and plants.
Keep a container of water in the refrigerator. Running water from the tap until it cools wastes water.
Use water-saving aerators on all faucets.
Get more information about water conservation tips here: http://tx-wichitafalls.civicplus.com/index.aspx?NID=466
