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Posted: 2023-07-25T09:45:07Z | Updated: 2023-07-25T09:45:07Z 9 Home Additions To Help You Conserve Water | HuffPost Life

9 Home Additions To Help You Conserve Water

A few simple swaps can help preserve our planet's most precious resource and save you money in the long run.
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Amazon
The Flume smart home leak detection kit, a rain collection barrel and a water usage-tracking showerhead by Hai.

As a decade-long Southern California resident, I’m no stranger to drought warnings and water saving notices. But, according to organizations like the Environmental Protection Agency , efforts to conserve water aren’t only to be taken in drought prone-climates or at drier times of the year.

 

The EPA’s water conservation branch anticipates that at least 40 states in the country will experience water shortages by 2024 due to the increasing duration of drought events and growing populations. And while the agency is actively participating in response and recovery measures, we can still do our part by making small home changes that reduce our water footprint and save us money in the process.

 

Using resources and recommendations from the EPA and Save Our Water , an official water conservation program in the state of California, we collected a selection of home products that reduce, monitor and conserve water use. 

 

HuffPost may receive a share from purchases made via links on this page. Every item is independently selected by the HuffPost Shopping team. Prices and availability are subject to change.

1
A smart water-saving shower system
According to Save Our Water , California's official water conservation program, keeping showers under five minutes when using a water-efficient shower head can save 12.5 gallons per shower.

Using Bluetooth connectivity that works with an app on your phone, this sustainable smart showerhead helps you track water usage and environmental impact over time. You can set target temperature and shower length limits, and the customizable LED lights built into the showerhead handle will notify you when your target limit has been reached. The removable handheld showerhead is made from stainless steel and easy-to-clean mold-resistant flexible PVC hose, while a seamless slider button adjusts the water flow from a high pressure stream to a spa-like mist. The faceplate is available in six different colors and is easy to install without the need for a plumber.

Note that only the eco-efficient Hai model that uses just 1.8 gallons per minute is permitted in all states.
2
A pair of swiveling faucet aerators
Save Our Water says that installing aerators in your faucets can save .7 gallons of water per minute. While it's standard for late-model sink hardware to come with pre-installed aerators, older models might not have them or the existing ones could bear replacing.

In addition to providing a splash-free and evenly pressured stream of water, this pair of chrome and brass aerators bear a certification from the National Science Foundation and WaterSense , a designation that places them among water-efficient products recommended by the EPA. Compatible with most standard male-thread kitchen or bathroom faucets, these aerators also feature a 360-degree swiveling spout to direct water flow and are resistant to both rust and corrosion.
3
Home Depot
A high-efficiency dual-flush toilet
Save Our Water also says that swapping out your old high-flush toilet for one that has better efficiency can save anywhere between six to 35 gallons of water per day. This sleek and elongated model with a self-closing seat offers a quiet, powerful dual-flush siphonic design that customizes water flow for either solid or liquid waste. It's also received a WaterSense certification from the EPA.
4
A trio of water-conserving toilet tank inserts
If purchasing and installing a brand new toilet isn't in the cards for you, toilet tank inserts like these can be a no-maintenance and odor-free alternative that has the potential to conserve 80-160 ounces of water per flush. Although tank banks arent directly mentioned by the EPA or Save Our Water, many reviewers claim that after adding these to their toilets, they noticed a significant decrease in their monthly water bill. Toilet tank banks work by displacing an amount of water in your toilet tank so your low-efficiency toilet requires less water when flushing.
5
A smart home leak detection kit
Fixing leaks inside and outside your home can save 27 to 90 gallons of water each day, according to Save Our Water . The only issue is that, outside of seeking professional services, it can be difficult to determine if and where leaks are occurring.

The Flume smart home water kit works by connecting to your water meter in order to offer real time tracking of your water usage, leak detection and an alert system that can prevent leaks from happening in the first place. Using the Flume app, you can also create a more efficient outdoor irrigation schedule, set water use limits and receive budget suggestions. No plumbing, cutting, wiring or monthly subscriptions are required to use Flume.
6
Self-fusing leak repair tape
If a leaky pipe is to blame for a spike in your water bill, we think this self-fusing silicone repair tape could be a good temporary solution until your pipe gets replaced. Many reviewers attest to its ability to instantly stop minor leaks around the house. It uses a powerful, corrosion-resistant adhesive and an extremely fast bonding time to provide a completely waterproof and airtight seal on most materials, from metal to PVC. Just stretch to activate and overlap the tape on itself to get the best performance.
7
A smart water-saving sprinkler system
Improving on an existing sprinkler system by converting to drip irrigation or by implementing smart irrigation solutions can, according to Save Our Water , reduce water waste.

This system from RainPoint, which is easily controlled and monitored using the RainPoint app, automatically delays watering schedules when sensing rainfall, will turn on only when it detects that the soil is dry in order to prevent over-watering, and allows you to set water consumption limits so you never use more than you intend.
8
Home Depot
A drip irrigation conversion system
Drip irrigation, a kind of micro-watering method that saves water and nutrients by allowing water to drip slowly to the roots of plants, is Save Our Water's preferred outdoor watering method. According to the program, conversion is easy: You simply use your existing supply lines and replace some of the sprinkler heads with drip irrigation supply heads.

This 6-sprinkler head kit by Rain Bird, a brand suggested by the Save Our Water , contains everything you need to easily convert your current sprinkler system into a drip one, without requiring any digging or existing irrigation knowledge. It eliminates wasteful overspray by sending water directly to plants rather than the sidewalk or other unwanted areas, and claims to reduce 40% of water use compared to spray irrigation.
9
An outdoor rain collection barrel
Rainwater harvesting is another easy and effective way that Save Our Water says can conserve water. It's a method that typically involves placing a collection barrel in areas where rainwater naturally flows off the roof, then utilizing the collected water for things like cleaning or outdoor watering.

This 50-gallon BPA-free polyethylene outdoor barrel is built for just this purpose and features a debris screen to keep out things like leaves and animals,. It also has a built-in garden hose, shut-off valve and a linking kit for connecting the barrel to others.

Before You Go

13 Sustainable Swaps For Your Beauty Routine
Washable and reusable bamboo rounds to replace your single-use ones(01 of13)
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These zero-waste cotton rounds are machine washable and can a be great replacement for any single-use cotton balls or pads to remove makeup or apply toners. Made with organic cotton and natural bamboo, the soft pad surface is gentle on skin, even on the delicate areas of the under eye. This set has over 17,400 five-star ratings on Amazon and contains 20 cotton rounds, a plastic-free container for storage and a drawstring laundry bag for washing the pads. (credit:Amazon)
A cold-pressed and nourishing solid shampoo(02 of13)
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Made with 97% less packaging than standard plastic shampoo bottles and using 34% less water in production, this nourishing shampoo bar offers up to 32 washes and intense nourishment for hair. It's formulated with cold-pressed mango butter which is rich in fatty acids and can be effective in repairing strands, making hair softer and more manageable. To use, just wet the bar and your hair, then create a lather in your hand, just like you would a regular bar of soap, then work the product into your hair. (credit:Amazon)
A sulfate-free hydrating conditioner bar for dry hair types(03 of13)
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This pH-balanced, zero-waste and highly concentrated conditioning bar has over 5,000 five-star ratings on Amazon and contains the equivalent of five standard bottles of conditioner. It's formulated with naturally derived ingredients to deeply hydrate dry and damaged hair, such as moisturizing coconut oils, cocoa butter and strengthening vitamin B5. This aluminum-free bar is safe for chemical- or color-treated hair and can even double as a shaving bar or in-shower moisturizer. (credit:Amazon)
Reusable silicone swabs that wash clean(04 of13)
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Made with sustainably sourced bamboo and eco-friendly silicone, these reusable and washable swabs are soft and gentle on the skin and can be used to remove or apply makeup, clean wax from ears or detail-clean difficult areas like keyboards. Each set comes with a bamboo box with a magnetic closure for storage and four different silicone tips. (credit:Etsy/PotterandHare)
A weighted and plastic-free razor that delivers a superior shave(05 of13)
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If you are unfamiliar with weighted safety razors , many dermatologists claim that they can provide a superior and irritation-free shave compared to disposable plastic options, and are also better for the skin.

This rust-resistant safety razor by Zomchi has nearly 3,000 five-star reviews on Amazon. It features a textured handle to prevent slippage even when wet and comes with a matching chromed brass stand for convenient storage. The simple mechanical design is nicely balanced for a comfortable and secure hold and the razor comes with five platinum razor blade replacements.
(credit:Amazon)
A shea body butter block for deeply hydrating skin(06 of13)
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This unrefined and 100% pure shea butter block has minimal and plastic-free packaging and can do wonders for dry, sensitive and even eczema-prone skin. Shea butter is loaded with a blend of fatty acids to help repair compromised skin and deliver moisture, as well as vitamin A, which can help promote cellular renewal and collagen production. You can slide the bar over your body or break a piece off and melt the product down in your hands before evenly smoothing on skin. (credit:Amazon)
An aluminum-free deodorant in biodegradable packaging(07 of13)
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Now in plastic-free and biodegradable packaging, this aluminum-free deodorant from Native has received over 45,000 five-star ratings on Amazon. Filled with nourishing ingredients like shea butter and coconut oil, this best-selling deodorant has glowing reviews for long-lasting odor protection abilities. It contains skin-friendly probiotics to help keep healthy bacteria present on your skin and odor-causing bacteria off, while tapioca starch and baking soda help absorb excess moisture and and neutralize odor. Native's gender-neutral scents include everything from Earl Grey and mulberry to cotton and lily. (credit:Amazon)
A popular ceramide-filled facial soap in a plastic-free bar(08 of13)
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If you are a fan of the ceramide-rich and skin reparative formulas of Cerave, you will be happy to know that their facial cleansers are available in moisturizing soap bars -- without any plastic packaging. Suitable for all skin types, this cleanser can gently clean without stripping the skin of moisture, and contains ceramides to strengthen the skin's natural barrier as well as hyaluronic acid to help retain lasting hydration. (credit:Amazon)
A plant-based makeup sponge for flawless blending(09 of13)
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The Beauty Blender makeup sponge is arguably one of the best tools for applying foundation evenly and creating an airbrushed finish. Now, the ultra-soft and bouncy sponge that you know and love is available in a more sustainable option. It's made with a 60% renewable and plant based composition using even more sustainable production process. (credit:Sephora)
A makeup-melting balm that's a better alternative to wipes(10 of13)
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Single-use makeup wipes are not only wasteful, they can tug on skin and might not be as effective as you might think when it comes to removing your makeup. Oil-based pre-cleansing balms can be a less wasteful and more efficient option for breaking down stubborn makeup, sunscreens and debris from the day. This luxe oat cleansing balm from The Inkey List is great for calming redness and sensitivity and uses antioxidant-rich oat kernel oil to gently support the skin's moisture barrier as it dissolves makeup. Follow up with your favorite facial cleanser to get a truly clean face that's prepped for skin care. (credit:Sephora)
Chewable toothpaste tablets to eliminate plastic tubes(11 of13)
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If you want to start eliminating plastic from your oral hygiene routine, you can start by using these anti-plaque and whitening toothpaste tablets that come in a plastic-free and reusable tin that is easy to travel with. The tablets are formulated with coconut and tea tree oils as well as real peppermint to gently lift stains and brush away plaque. To use, you just pop one in your mouth, chew and then brush to activate the soft paste. (credit:Amazon)
A hydrating and vegan lip balm in a plastic-free paper tube(12 of13)
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Made in small batches using vegan and organic ingredients, this nourishing lip balm by Meow Meow Tweet is packaged in a plastic-free paper tube. Rich plant butters and oils help to saturate skin, repair cracked lips and protect them from further chapping. These versatile balms can be used on cuticles, cracked skin and other dry areas and come in scents like rosemary eucalyptus, sweet orange tangerine and coconut cacao. (credit:Earth Hero)
A zero-waste organic 3-in-1 serum foundation(13 of13)
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Dab Herb Makeup is an organic and zero-waste makeup company that features handmade cosmetics that highlight plant-based ingredients. This weightless foundation is designed to prime, moisturize and conceal and offers a blurring sheer finish. The seller offers samples to purchase so you can find a shade that matches you best. (credit:Dab Herb Makeup/Etsy)

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