Save Water in Your Apartment Rental
As a SoCal resident, you’re most likely aware of the water shortages we face every year. California has been under a drought for the past. According to the Los Angeles Times, both LA and San Diego have been under at least a moderate drought since December 11, 2012. The ongoing drought has lead to a lack of water in many of the lakes, rivers, and streams surrounding Southern California. While we can’t control whether or not it rains, you can make a difference by thinking about your water usage. Reducing your water use is a great way to make your apartment eco-friendly and make progress towards sustainable living. Here are a few ways you can minimalize your water consumption.
Think About Your Shower
Showers are usually one of the top ways apartment residents waste water. According to the EPA, the average showerheads use 2.5 gallons of water a minute. Consider shortening your shower to around five minutes or so to help conserve water. Also, you can look for eco-friendly showerheads. Ones that qualify will usually have an EPA watersense sticker on the front or back of the package.
Let Dirty Pots & Pans Soak
After you’ve finished cooking, let your pots and pans soak while you enjoy your meal! Add a little dish detergent to your dirty cookware and let it soak for about 15 to 20 minutes. This will not only save water, but can also save you time. A lot of the excess grease and other ingredients that may get stuck will come off easier.
Be Smart When Washing Dishes
If you wash your own dishes in the sink, it might be a good idea to also soak any extremely dirty dishes while you clean out your pots and pans. Plug your sink and let the dishes soak for a couple minutes. By doing this, you can save up to 500 gallons of water every month!
If you have a dishwasher in your own apartment, only run it when it is full. This will ensure that you only use water when needed. Try to reuse glasses whenever you can.
Don’t Brush Your Teeth With The Faucet On
According to the EPA, leaving your sink on while brushing your teeth during the morning and at night can waste eight gallons of water. Wait until you are ready to rinse off your toothbrush to turn on the faucet.
Notify Us About Leaks
If you have a leaky faucet, toilet or pipe, don’t hesitate to contact us to get it repaired. Simply visit the resident log-in page and select your community to submit a maintenance request.