If people make New Year's resolutions, odds are not many of them involve saving water. But if they did make such resolutions, a lot of water could be saved, according to Klaus Reichardt, founder and CEO of Waterless Co., a maker of waterless and low-flow plumbing fixtures (http://www.waterless.com).
If we forgive him for being just a little self-serving, it's worth noting his suggested New Year's resolutions for 2012 on how to live greener lifestyle and reduce water consumption. One of Reichardt's ideas is to resolve to take showers only for washing. He points to a survey by eNation that found more than 80 percent of people take showers for the primary purpose of relaxing and meditating. That matters because, says Reichardt, showers account for some 20 percent of residential water use in the United States -- about 1.2 trillion gallons per year. His other suggested water resolutions include:
* Think of one thing each day that will save water (even small ideas can add up to big savings).
* Teach children the value of water.
* Wash fruits and vegetables in a pan of water instead of running the tap.
* If planting vegetation, select native plants because they tend to require less water.
* Keep the water off while brushing your teeth (saves more than 700 gallons per year).
* When looking for water leaks, check outdoor as well as indoor faucets.
* Check your water bill; sudden increases in water use can mean there is a water leak.
And, as you might guess, replace old plumbing fixtures with low-flow or no-flow systems.
