Those who earn less annually are more likely to keep the water running
There are many ways to conserve water around the house, and one of them is to shut off the faucet while brushing one’s teeth. Doing so for just two minutes could conserve eight gallons of water per day, according to a study conducted by the EPA. YouGov’s new poll on the topic reveals that six in ten Americans (60%) turn the tap off while brushing their teeth.
Slightly more than a third of the country (35%) say they keep the water running while cleaning their pearly whites. Gender, in this case, does not seem to have an impact on one’s habits. Both men (59%) and women (60%) are just as likely to say they save water by turning off the tap.
Differences are stark depending on the region where people live. Americans who live in the West (67%) and those who live in the Midwest (62%) are the most likely to say they turn off their running water during the routine. Just over half of those who live in the Northeast (55%) or South (56%) report the same.
Certain age groups have different habits. Younger millennials, aged 18 to 24, seem to be particularly environmentally-conscious and 67% report that they shut off their taps while brushing their teeth. They are also less likely than the general population to say they keep the tap running (24%).
Over half (57%) of Americans aged 45 and over, say they tend to turn the water faucet off, but over a third of them say they tend to let it run. This is especially true amongst those aged 55 and over, of which 41% say they keep the water running.
Income may also be linked to water conservation. Close to seven in ten Americans who earn $80,000 a year or more (67%) report that they try and turn off the water faucet while brushing their teeth. Less than three in ten of the same group say they keep the water running (29%). A person’s likelihood to keep the water running increases as their annual earnings decrease. Two in five Americans who earn less than $40,000 a year (40%) say they keep the water running.
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