More guests during the holidays usually mean more water usage — and that means more water that needs to be treated as wastewater. If you have a septic system, water usage is important to monitor. Not to worry, there are ways to conserve water while also prepping for some of the merriest celebrations of the year:
- Thaw food without water. The safest and most water-efficient way to thaw frozen food is to defrost it in the refrigerator. The extra time is worth it.
- Fill sinks or pans to rinse vegetables, fruits, and other food. When done, this water can be reused to water houseplants. (On that note, leftover ice from your party can also be used to water plants!)
- Put leftover food from dishes in a compost bin or garbage can instead of the garbage disposal. According to manufacturers’ estimates, garbage disposals use on average 4.5 gallons per minute.
- Run your dishwasher only when it is full. The average dishwashers use about 6 gallons of water per load. That number can vary.
- Use one glass throughout the day.
- Pan size matters. Choose the size that fits your needs. A larger pan could mean more otherwise unnecessary water needed for cooking.
- Fun fact: A turkey holiday dinner for eight needs more than 42,000 gallons of water in food growth and preparation, according to the United States Department of Agriculture. Now that’s a lot of water!
Homes with septic systems should be inspected or serviced before parties or large gatherings. If you do need septic service on the holiday, Crews Environmental is available with 24-hour emergency service. If you are having a septic backup, please don’t delay. We are available 7 days a week and can be reached at 239-216-9353.
Everyone at Crews Environmental wishes you and your family a Merry Christmas.
