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Water Conservation Tips
How to Conserve Water
The average American uses 60 gallons of water daily inside the home. There are four basic ways to save water - economize, repair leaks, install water-saving devices and reuse water. Look around your home and determine which suggestions you can implement.
Outdoors
- Add a three-inch layer of mulch around outdoor plants to hold in water and reduce evaporation
- For established lawns, water once per week with no more than one inch of water applied
- Plant low-water-use grasses and shrubs to cut your lawn watering by 20 to 50%
- Set your lawn mower to a height of three inches, this keeps the grass roots shaded and lawn holding moisture so you have to mow and water your lawn less frequently
- Use a rake or a broom to clean up sidewalks, driveways, and gutters, not the hose
- Use plants that are drought resistant
- Water lawns and gardens early in the morning so the water doesn't evaporate as quickly. Water your lawn slowly with a steady trickle, but not a mist, which easily evaporates
- When washing your car, use a bucket for soapy water and use a hose only for rinsing
Bathroom
- Don't leave water running while brushing your teeth or shaving. Run water when you need it, then turn off the tap until you need more
- Flush less often and only if necessary, remodel with low consumption toilets (1.5 gallon per flush or less)
- Install faucet aerators, faucet aerators can cut indoor water consumption by as much as 6%
- Insulate hot water pipes, especially the first few feet of the line exiting and entering the hot water heater
- Meter the water
- Repair leaks in faucets, toilets, etc. Add a few drops of food coloring to water in the toilet tank, if coloring appears in the toilet without flushing, there is a leak. Also listen for the sound of running water or a running pump
- A toilet flush uses up to seven gallons of water. Install a water-saving toilet in the bathroom, or replace some of the water in the tank with a plastic milk carton filled with water
Showers
- See how light a spray you can wash with, it is also not necessary to shower longer than five minutes. Remodel with a low consumption showerhead (2.5 gallons per minute)
- Take shorter, lighter showers and turn off the water while soaping
Kitchen
- Use a vegetable brush for cleaning fruits and vegetables. If you have a hand sprayer, use it sparingly or fill the sink with water
- Remodel with a low consumption faucet aerator (2 gallons per minute)
- Install faucet aerators. Faucet aerators can cut indoor water consumption by as much as 6%
Repair Leaks
- Automatic dishwashers claim the most water in kitchens, about 12 gallons per run. Make sure the washer is fully loaded, as it will take the same 12 gallons to wash a full load or a couple of cups
- Faucets run at about five gallons a minute, don't let them run when working in the kitchen sink
- Scrape dishes off and let pots and pans soak overnight instead of rinsing them under the faucet
- Store a jug of ice water in the refrigerator instead of running the tap until cool
- When purchasing a new appliance, consider its water efficiency
Washing Machines
- Many washing machines use 40 or more gallons of water a load whether you have them stuffed full or with only a couple of socks
- Save up for a full load and make your washer work efficiently
- Wash only full loads
- When purchasing a new appliance, consider water efficiency
Facts About Water
- The 5 Great Lakes bordering the U.S. and Canada contain about 20% of the world's available fresh water
- Humans can survive a month without food, but only five to seven days without water
- Only 1% of the earth's water is available for drinking water
- Public water suppliers process 34 billion gallons of water per day for domestic and public use
- Water is the most common substance found on earth