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Don't waste a drop! Save water |
Conservation Tips
Conservation Tips
There are many ways you can conserve and save water at home. A dripping faucet can waste up to 20 gallons of water per day. Inside and outside of the home you can save water:
Inside the home:
Kitchen
Bathroom
LaundryOutside the home:
Lawn
Garden
Pool
AutomobileRun the dishwasher only when full
When washing dishes by hand, fill one container (or sink) with wash water and another with rinse water
Install an instant hot water heater on sink faucet
Defrost food in refrigerator or on counter, don't run under water
Clean veggies in container filled with water rather than running water from the faucet
Keep container of water in refrigerator for drinking, instead of running the water while waiting for it to get cold
Compost instead of using a garbage disposal. Sink disposals use a lot of water to work properlyTurn of the water when brushing teeth, shaving, washing face, etc.
Replace old shower heads with newer water-saving low flow models
Time your shower! See how fast you can be!
While you wait for warm water catch the cold water in a bucket, so you can
use it later for watering plants or cooking.
Turn the water off when lathering up
Don't use toilet for discarding tissues, trash or insects. It isn't a wastebasket!
Replace old toilets with newer low flush models
Fix leaky toilets. (To check if toilet is leaking put food coloring in the tank. Do not flush, and then check to see if any coloring gets in the bowl. If it does, you have a leak.)Use clothes washer only when you have enough to run a large load
Use water-saving setting on clothes washer machine if availableReplace washer with low-water use fixtures
During the driest period of the summer, lawns usually will require about one inch of water every week to stay green and growing. Overwatering and/or frequent watering will stimulate excessive topgrowth and the need for more frequent mowing. Lawns watered too frequently also tend to develop shallow roots, which may make them more susceptible to pests and heat-drought stress. Water infrequently (weekly) and deeply (six to eight inches) with one inch of water each time.
Make sure sprinklers aren't watering pavement
Water either during morning or evening when it's cooler outside; otherwise water will evaporate instead of soaking into the ground
Don't water if it is windy or if it has rained recently
Don't mow grass shorter the 3-3½ inches. This helps reduce evaporation and promotes longer & stronger root growth
Connect a shut off nozzle to your hose so water flows only when needed. When finished using the hose, turn it off at the faucet to prevent leaks.Don't hose down your driveway or sidewalk; use a broom to clean leaves and other debris.
Using mulch reduces evaporation and helps the soil around plants to retain moisture
Practice xeriscaping, the planting of drought resistant native species
Make a rain garden
Use rain barrels. It is an inexpensive way to collect rain water for watering gardens, lawns & house plants
Use a rain gauge to better determine if watering is required
Use soaker hoses or drip irrigation systems instead of sprinklers
Add compost or peat moss to soil to increase water retentionCover pools and spas when not in use to reduce evaporation; this also means less frequent cleaning & less chemical use
Install water saving filtersTake the car to a commercial car washing station that recycles wash water; if the station doesn't recycle the water, be sure the waste water is treated before it is discharged in to a sewer drain
If you must wash your car, do it on a lawn or other permeable surface to prevent water from flowing into storm drains or nearby lakes & streams. Turn off the hose while soaping up the car! Use a bucket with biodegradable non-toxic soap
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