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Know Your Water Footprint

Posted: 6/8/2011

Photo Credit: ©iStockphoto.com Water Conservation Tip: Turn off the water while brushing your teeth.

(NAPSI)—Most people have heard of their carbon footprint but have you heard of your water footprint?

On one hand, the United States has an abundance of water, almost 8 percent of the world’s freshwater resources, but only 4.5 percent of the world’s population. On the other hand, the average American’s water footprint, the total amount of water directly and indirectly used, is nearly twice the world’s average. You can calculate your water footprint at www.waterfootprint.org.

Water Conservation Tips

• Take a short shower instead of a bath. A five- to 10-minute shower uses less water than a full bathtub.

• Install a Bell & Gossett Autocirc™ hot water circulator in the bathroom under the sink and it can save an average family of four more than 12,000 gallons of water a year by eliminating the need to wait for the water to get hot.

• Shower during the warmer part of the day and use cooler water. Showering during the heat of the day is a great way to reduce your hot water consumption.

• Install a more efficient shower fixture: Efficient fixtures maintain high pressure while lowering the amount of water used.

• Turn off the water while brushing your teeth.

• Use a drip irrigation system instead of a hose or sprinkler to water your garden.

• Direct the water drain line from your air conditioner to a flower bed, tree base or onto your lawn.

• Set up a rain barrel under a rain gutter outside your house. You can catch hundreds of gallons to use for watering the lawn, washing the car, etc.

For more information on water conservation and energy-saving products and tips, go to:

• www.itth2opros.com

• www.epa.gov/watersense

• www.bellgossett.com

• www.ittwatermark.com

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