No matter what part of the country you live in, there is a chance you can experience a drought in your lifetime. The US Drought Portal tracks each state’s, county’s, and town’s current drought conditions. As of November 2020, 16.3% of the US was experiencing abnormally dry conditions. Almost 14% of the country was experiencing a moderate drought, while 10% and 11% were experiencing severe and extreme droughts, respectively. 

If your community is experiencing a drought, your local news and community will alert you of the severity and what steps to take when the time comes. Until then, there are plenty of ways you can prepare yourself in advance of a potential drought. Not only will these steps help you feel prepared, they can help the environment. Keep reading for some simple steps to take today. 

1. Check Plumbing for Leaks

Even if you do not see water noticeably dripping from a pipe in your home, that doesn’t mean you don’t have a leak in your plumbing. There are some easy ways to check for leaks, like looking to the back of cabinets for any signs of mold or mildew, like an unusual smell. You can also monitor your water bills every month. If you see a sudden increase, that could be a sign you have a hidden leak. You can also check your water meter by turning off all water in your home and periodically checking the meter. If it changes without you using the plumbing, that means there’s a leak.  

2. Fix Broken Faucets

Some people may have just resigned themselves to the fact that they have a dripping faucet and come to not care about it. However, one drop of water per second from a leaking faucet wastes 2700 gallons of water every year. You can easily fix a broken faucet by replacing its washers, or by calling a plumber. 

3. Install Instant Hot Water Heaters

If you love to take hot showers, you may be guilty of letting the water run before you get in to avoid chilly water. Installing instant hot water heaters will eliminate the need to let water run in order for it to heat up. This also comes in handy when doing dishes or running the dishwasher. 

4. Look For Energy Efficient Appliances

To help the environment all year long, look for home appliances that are energy and water efficient. You can help save 5000 gallons of water a year by using appliances that operate with 30-50% less water and energy. Energy efficient appliances also help conserve power of home backup battery generators, like Geneverse (formerly Generark)'s HomePower ONE, allowing you to keep your home appliances functional for up to seven days in a power outage. 

5. Store Water

When preparing for any emergency situation, you always want to make sure that you have plenty of bottled water on hand for the whole family. It is recommended to have 1 gallon of water per family member per day. You can keep a supply on hand, replenishing when necessary throughout the year. 

6. Make A Plan For Water Usage 

Since it is not feasible to completely eliminate water usage from your day while experiencing a drought, it may be a good idea to make a plan for how you can preserve water when necessary. When cooking or doing other household tasks, think about what will require water, how much water you will need, and when you will need it. Consider the possibility of reusing the same water before you dump extra down the drain. Practicing this throughout the year will not only help the environment, but help you be prepared for a potential drought. 

Summary

A drought may be the last type of emergency that comes to mind when thinking about preparing for potential situations, but it is one that can happen at any time, anywhere. It is always best to be prepared for the possibility of living in a drought, so as to not feel so disrupted and stressed out when the time comes. Check all plumbing for potential hidden leaks, fix leaky faucets, and consider installing instant water heaters and energy and water efficient appliances. Not only will these steps help preserve water, they will help the environment all year long and even save you money! Energy efficient appliances will also increase the amount of time you can keep them operational on a single charge of our HomePower ONE. 

About Geneverse: Geneverse (formerly Generark) is the most reliablesolar generator and source of emergency backup power for your home and community. From theHomePower backup battery power station providing portable access to electricity, to theSolarPowersolar panels as a source for recharging, never be disconnected from what matters most to you. Learn more about how Geneverse and its industry-leading 5-year limited warranty can bring protection and security to your family ongeneverse.com. Never face a power outage alone, and power your home with a solar generator from Geneverse.