Water Conservation Tips

Water Conservation Tips Indoors Never pour water down the drain. There is probably another use for it, such as watering indoor plants or a garden. Make sure your home is leak-free. Read your water meter before and after a two-hour period when no water is being used. If the meter reading changes, your home may have a leak. Fix faucets. Repair dripping faucets by replacing washers. Retrofit older faucets by installing aerators, which will slow the flow of water, ultimately saving water and money on your bill. Fix toilets. Check toilets for leaks by adding food coloring to the tank. A leak is prevalent if color appears in the bowl within 30 minutes. After testing, flush immediately to avoid stains. Replace or adjust toilet handles that stick, letting water run constantly. Installing a displacement device or a low-volume toilet can reduce the amount of water needed for each flush. Install low-flow showerheads. New low-flow showerhead models provide a great amount of pressure but use less water. Also, try taking shorter showers. Run only when full. Operate the dishwasher and washing machines only when fully loaded. Stop buying bottled water. Bottled water costs more and leaves a trail of empty plastic bottles. Invest in a $20 pitcher water filter to save money and the environment. Do not waste water. Don't let water run while brushing your teeth, washing your face, or shaving. Outdoors Don't overwater lawns. Lawns only need watering every five to seven days in the summer and every 10 to 14 days in the winter. Water early. Water lawns during the early morning hours when temperatures and wind speed are the lowest to help reduce evaporation and waste. Don't water pavement. Position sprinklers so that lawns and landscaping are watered and not paved surfaces. Check the irrigation system. Inspect sprinkler systems and timing devices regularly to ensure they are operating properly. Keep grass long. Raise the blade on your lawnmower to at least 3 inches or to its highest level. A higher cut encourages grass roots to grow deeper. Don't over-fertilize. Applying fertilizer increases the need for water. Apply fertilizers that contain slow-release, water-insoluble forms of nitrogen. Use mulch. Mulch helps to retain the moisture in the soil and to control weeds that compete with landscape plants for water. Plant Native. Use native and drought-tolerant vegetation. Once established, these plant materials do not need water frequently and usually will survive a dry period without watering. Blow or sweep. Do not wash down driveways or sidewalks; use a broom or blower instead.