Eco-Friendly Bathrooms: 5 Smart Ways to Conserve Water

When it comes to conserving water, we have to stop and think about our current habits. What are we doing that’s non-sustainable? In which ways are we wasting water? And what changes can we make to lead a more eco-friendly life?

A lot of water conservation starts in the bathroom. This, after all, is where a good chunk of our daily water usage goes. Think toilet flushing, showers and baths, and sink usage.

In this article, we’ll delve into the importance of conserving water, common mistakes people make regarding wasteful bathroom habits, and how to create an eco-friendlier bathroom, even when on a budget.

The Importance of Water Conservation

Water conservation isn’t just something you do in a drought or when you’re required to do so. It’s something that matters throughout the year, no matter where you reside.

Conserving water is beneficial in numerous ways. It can help protect fresh water, which is a limited resource; reduce water shortages; and save energy. It can also lead to reduced utility costs, produce less stress on local plumbing systems, and even help fight climate change.

The thing with water conservation is that, while it may not seem like one person could make a difference, it truly does start with one person. One individual’s sustainable acts can make an impact greater than we might realize.

Is Conserving Water Expensive?

No, conserving water doesn’t have to be expensive (and usually isn’t). Making simple changes to your bathroom habits or swapping out just one appliance in your bathroom can make a noticeable impact when it comes to creating a more sustainable bathroom space.

Some changes can be done for free, while other changes aren’t necessarily going to break the bank. In fact, in the long run, good water conservation habits and eco-friendly appliances in the bathroom can actually help you save money. This is because less water is being used (and wasted).

Common Mistakes People Make in Bathrooms That Are Wasteful

One of the biggest mistakes people make in regard to their bathroom habits is simply not being aware of their unsustainable habits, like keeping the faucet running while they’re brushing their teeth.

While some people don’t stop to think about their behaviors, others may be fully aware and even defend their habits, stating that they can afford to pay their water bill. However, water usage isn’t about “being able to afford it.” Rather, being mindful is about preventing water wastage.

Another misconception is that there is unlimited water and “plenty to go around.” Hence, many may continue to be wasteful when it comes to water usage.

While it’s true that our planet is made up of about 71% water, less than 1% of Earth’s water is actually available for our use. Not to mention, freshwater is limited, and ensuring water can be used and consumed by humans from the start takes time, resources, and energy.

Being mindful of the latter and reducing our overall water usage can help protect the limited amount of water we have available to us. Even if a drought isn’t currently present, conserving water now can protect us in the event that there’s a water shortage in the future.

• Some common water-wasting habits people make in the bathroom include:
• Leaving the sink running while brushing your teeth or going to the bathroom
• Ignoring water leaks or taking too long to resolve them
• Letting the shower run for long periods of time before getting in
• Taking longer showers than necessary
• Using hotter water than needed
• Leaving bathroom fans or lights on when not in use
• Overusing bathroom products and toiletries
• Flushing the toilet more than once after each use
• Sticking to old, inefficient faucets and appliances

Here are some smart ways to conserve water to create an eco-friendlier bathroom, some of which you can start today:

1. Install Low-Flow Fixtures

Compared to standard fixtures, low-flow fixtures use significantly less water (up to 42% less).

Eco-friendly fixtures reduce water usage due to their ability to mix air with water, built-in flow restrictors, and/or efficient spray design to allow for optimal coverage while minimizing how much water is needed. Even with pressure-enhancing technology, water flow from low-flow fixtures still remains strong.

As a result of less water usage, low-flow fixtures can help save thousands of gallons every year. These eco-friendly fixtures also reduce energy use as they don’t need as much energy to heat water.

Low-flow fixtures can be found as faucets, showerheads, or dual-flush toilets (can save up to half a gallon of water per flush). Even upgrading one of the three can make a difference in your bathroom’s overall water usage.

The best part? Low-flow fixtures are typically affordable, easy to install, and can be done without undergoing a major renovation.

2. Swap to a Smart Shower System

When it comes to conserving water in the bathroom, many people struggle to compromise on their shower usage. Others are willing to shorten their showers or even reduce their shower temperature to implement a more eco-friendly bathing habit. However, they may find it difficult to track or gauge.

This is where smart shower systems come in. These modern-day systems make it easy to save water and reduce energy by monitoring your water usage, preventing overheating, and even timing your showers.

Many smart shower systems also give users the ability to save personal presets and even accommodate presets for other family members in the home.

Besides keeping tabs on water usage, maintaining a steady water temperature, and encouraging shorter showers, smart shower systems can also offer a luxury experience for users. Many systems offer several spray settings, embedded music, and/or mood lighting to elevate your shower sessions.

3. Upgrade Your Toilet

If you like the idea of an eco-friendly toilet but don’t necessarily want a dual-flush system, there are other toilets to consider.

Like dual-flush toilets, high-efficiency single-flush toilets use less water when flushing compared to standard toilets. However, single-flush toilets, as the name implies, only have one flush setting, making them simple to adapt to.

Both dual-flush and high-efficiency single-flush toilets vary drastically in price but cost roughly the same. Narrow your options down based on toilet brand, flushing preference, and product availability.

Composting toilets are another eco-friendly option for the bathroom. While they sometimes cost more upfront compared to water-containing toilets, composting toilets don’t have ongoing water costs, apart from occasional cleaning. This can help lower one’s monthly water bill.

However, keep in mind that composting toilets require periodic media replacement, which can come with costs on its own. Nevertheless, composting toilets are a great alternative to standard toilets, utilizing the least amount of water even among other eco-friendly toilets.

4. Reuse Graywater if Allowed in Your Locality

If your local regulations allow, consider collecting and reusing graywater to ensure water doesn’t go to waste.

Graywater is clean or lightly used water that can come from a variety of sources: your shower while you’re waiting for it to warm up, gently used bathwater, backwater from your dishwasher, or water from washing machines. (Note: Don’t collect water from toilets!)

Graywater is often collected with a bucket and later used for toilet flushing or to water landscaping. As a result of reusing graywater, utility bills will be lower, household water usage can be cut by up to 50%, and it can reduce stress on limited freshwater supplies.

Keep in mind that even if your area allows the collection of graywater, there may be restrictions surrounding it. For instance, you may need a permit for graywater collection, may need an approved collection system, and/or may need to have your graywater system professionally installed.

Some locations might also have certain rules for graywater collectors to follow. For example, graywater usage may be restricted to certain things, and it might not be allowed to come in contact with edible plants or people. Likewise, graywater might have maximum storage times (e.g., 24 hours).

5. Consider Switching to Eco-Friendly Products

Even the simple act of switching the products you normally use in the shower to eco-friendly versions can make a big impact in terms of water conservation.

Eco-friendly soaps, liquid body washes, shampoo, conditioner, facial washes, and other products you use on your body that get washed off are designed to rinse out faster. As a result, they can help reduce water usage and encourage shorter showers.

What’s more, eco-friendly products like the latter use plant-safe ingredients. With this in mind, these products can help support the collection and reuse of graywater for irrigation purposes, with no fear of harsh ingredients or chemicals transferring to plants and landscaping.

Switching to eco-friendly products can be a powerful environmentally-safe decision, especially when paired with low-flow fixtures or a smart shower system to further conserve water.

From incorporating sustainable habits into your daily routine to considering eco-friendly bathroom remodeling Renton, there are many great ways to reduce water wastage.

Conclusion

Creating an eco-friendly bathroom and conserving water might seem like challenging tasks. In reality, it all comes down to being mindful of our habits and the appliances we choose. Outside of creating a more eco-friendly bathroom, the latter changes can also lead to lower water bills, increased home value, and less strain on local water systems.