How to save water (in simple yet impactful ways)
Small daily choices. Big collective impact.
At The ARK, we live close to the land, and we know that water is life. Yet, in modern living, it’s easy to overlook how much we use. From long showers to lush lawns to what we put on our plate, our everyday habits can quietly waste thousands of gallons of water.
The good news? Saving water doesn’t have to feel like a sacrifice. In fact, it can be simple, empowering, and deeply aligned with the way we want to live, regenerative, conscious, and connected.
Here are a few shifts that anyone can make, starting today:
Take shorter showers (and catch the runoff)
A 10-minute shower can use up to 95 liters (25 gallons) of water. Cutting your shower in half saves a lot more than time.
And here’s an easy habit we love: place a bucket under the shower as the water heats up. That clean water can be reused to water plants, clean floors, or flush toilets. One small shift, many ripples.
Eat more plants
It takes 6,800 liters (1,800 gallons) of water to produce just one pound of beef. That’s enough for over 90 showers.
Choosing a more plant-based diet, or simply eating more local, seasonal produce, drastically reduces your water footprint. Lentils, potatoes, and grains use only a fraction of the water. At The ARK, we grow much of our own food, and we know: how we eat shapes the health of our water systems.
Replace lawns with native plants or ground covers
Lawns look tidy, but they’re thirsty. Instead, plant native species that thrive in your region without irrigation. Or try ground covers like creeping thyme or clover. They use less water, support biodiversity, and require far less maintenance than mowing.
At The ARK, we design with nature, not against it. This is one easy way to do the same.
Fix leaks (even the tiny ones)
That slow drip from your faucet? It could waste over 11,300 liters (3,000 gallons) of water per year.
Check taps, toilets, and garden hoses for leaks. They’re usually simple to repair and they make a difference, both for the planet and your bills.
Wash produce in a bowl
Instead of rinsing fruits and veggies under running water, fill a bowl and soak them. It saves water and cleans produce more thoroughly.
Even better: reuse the water for your garden. It’s a small ritual of care that honors every drop.
Run full loads only
Washing machines use around 75–95 liters (20–25 gallons) per cycle, and dishwashers use about 15–22 liters (4–6 gallons).
Avoid half-loads. Wait until your machine is full—or if you hand wash, fill a basin instead of letting water run. It’s a simple shift that adds up over time.
Nourishing wood: plant-based oils over varnish
Wood doesn’t need harsh varnishes to shine. Natural oils like tung, linseed, walnut, or coconut preserve wood’s integrity while allowing it to breathe.
The ripple effect
At The ARK, we believe in living systems. That means understanding that small actions ripple outward. Saving water doesn’t have to be hard—it just takes presence, a bit of care, and a willingness to do things differently.
Start where you are.
Every drop counts.
And together, we make a difference.