#1
There are a number of ways to save water, and they all start with you.
#2
When washing dishes by hand, don't let the water run while rinsing. Fill one sink with wash water and the other with rinse water.
#3
Some refrigerators, air conditioners and ice-makers are cooled with wasted flows of water. Consider upgrading with air-cooled appliances for significant water savings.
#4
Adjust sprinklers so only your lawn is watered and not the house, sidewalk, or street.
#5
Run your clothes washer and dishwasher only when they are full. You can save up to 1,000 gallons a month.
#6
Choose shrubs and groundcovers instead of turf for hard-to-water areas such as steep slopes and isolated strips.
#7
Install covers on pools and spas and check for leaks around your pumps.
#8
Use the garbage disposal sparingly. Compost vegetable food waste instead and save gallons every time.
#9
Plant in the fall when conditions are cooler and rainfall is more plentiful.
#10
For cold drinks keep a pitcher of water in the refrigerator instead of running the tap. This way, every drop goes down you and not the drain.
#11
Monitor your water bill for unusually high use. Your bill and water meter are tools that can help you discover leaks.
#12
Water your lawn and garden in the morning or evening when temperatures are cooler to minimize evaporation.
#13
Wash your fruits and vegetables in a pan of water instead of running water from the tap.
#14
Spreading a layer of organic mulch around plants retains moisture and saves water, time and money.
#15
Use a broom instead of a hose to clean your driveway and sidewalk and save water every time.
#16
If your shower fills a one-gallon bucket in less than 20 seconds, replace the showerhead with a water-efficient model.
#17
Collect the water you use for rinsing fruits and vegetables, then reuse it to water houseplants.
#18
If water runs off your lawn easily, split your watering time into shorter periods to allow for better absorption.
#19
We're more likely to notice leaks indoors, but don't forget to check outdoor faucets, sprinklers and hoses for leaks.
#20
If you have an automatic refilling device, check your pool periodically for leaks.
#21
Check the root zone of your lawn or garden for moisture before watering using a spade or trowel. If it's still moist two inches under the soil surface, you still have enough water.
#22
When buying new appliances, consider those that offer cycle and load size adjustments. They're more water and energy efficient.
#23
Shorten your shower by a minute or two and you'll save up to 150 gallons per month.
#24
Upgrade older toilets with water efficient models.
#25
Adjust your lawn mower to a higher setting. A taller lawn shades roots and holds soil moisture better than if it is closely clipped.
#26
When cleaning out fish tanks, give the nutrient-rich water to your plants.
#27
Use sprinklers for large areas of grass. Water small patches by hand to avoid waste.
#28
Put food coloring in your toilet tank. If it seeps into the toilet bowl without flushing, you have a leak. Fixing it can save up to 1,000 gallons a month.
#29
When running a bath, plug the tub before turning the water on, then adjust the temperature as the tub fills up.
#30
Walkways and patios provide space that doesn't ever need to be watered. These useful "rooms" can also add value to your property.
#31
Collect water from your roof to water your garden.
#32
Designate one glass for your drinking water each day or refill a water bottle. This will cut down on the number of glasses to wash.
#33
Rather than following a set watering schedule, check for soil moisture two to three inches below the surface before watering.
#34
Install a rain sensor on your irrigation controller so your system won't run when it's raining.
#35
Don't use running water to thaw food. Defrost food in the refrigerator for water efficiency and food safety.
#36
Use drip irrigation for shrubs and trees to apply water directly to the roots where it's needed.
#37
Grab a wrench and fix that leaky faucet. It's simple, inexpensive, and you can save 140 gallons a week.
#38
Reduce the amount of lawn in your yard by planting shrubs and ground covers appropriate to your site and region.
#39
When doing laundry, match the water level to the size of the load.
#40
Teach your children to turn off faucets tightly after each use.
#41
Remember to check your sprinkler system valves periodically for leaks and keep the sprinkler heads in good shape.
#40
Use a water-efficient showerhead. They're inexpensive, easy to install, and can save you up to 750 gallons a month.
#41
Before you lather up, trade up your current shower head to a water-efficient shower head which helps reduce water consumption by up to 40%.
#42
Water-conserving shower heads are inexpensive, easy to install, and can save a family of four up to 17,000 gallons of water a year.
#42
Water-conserving shower heads are inexpensive, easy to install, and can save a family of four up to 17,000 gallons of water a year.
#43
Soak pots and pans instead of letting the water run while you scrape them clean.
#44
Don't water your lawn on windy days when most of the water blows away or evaporates.
#45
Water your plants deeply but less frequently to encourage deep root growth and drought tolerance.
#46
Know where your master water shut-off valve is located. This could save water and prevent damage to your home.
#47
To decrease water from being wasted on sloping lawns, apply water for five minutes and then repeat two to three times.
#48
Group plants with the same watering needs together to avoid overwatering some while underwatering others.
#49
Use a layer of organic material on the surface of your planting beds to minimize weed growth that competes for water.
#50
Use a minimum amount of organic or slow release fertilizer to promote a healthy and drought tolerant landscape.
#51
Trickling or cascading fountains lose less water to evaporation than those spraying water into the air.
#52
Use a commercial car wash that recycles water.
#53
Avoid recreational water toys that require a constant flow of water.
#54
Turn off the water while brushing your teeth and save 25 gallons a month.
#55
Use a rain gauge, or empty tuna can, to track rainfall on your lawn. Then reduce your watering accordingly.
#56
Encourage your school system and local government to develop and promote water conservation among children and adults.
#57
Learn how to shut off your automatic watering system in case it malfunctions or you get an unexpected rain.
#58
Set a kitchen timer when watering your lawn or garden to remind you when to stop. A running hose can discharge up to 10 gallons a minute.
#59
If your toilet flapper doesn't close after flushing, replace it.
#60
Make sure there are water-saving aerators on all of your faucets.
#61
Next time you add or replace a flower or shrub, choose a low water use plant for year-round landscape color and save up to 550 gallons each year.
#62
Install an instant water heater near your kitchen sink so you don't have to run the water while it heats up. This also reduces energy costs.
#63
Use a grease pencil to mark the water level of your pool at the skimmer. Check the mark 24 hours later to see if you have a leak.
#64
If your dishwasher is new, cut back on rinsing. Newer models clean more thoroughly than older ones.
#65
Use a trowel, shovel, or soil probe to examine soil moisture depth. If the top two to three inches of soil are dry it's time to water.
#66
If installing a lawn, select a turf mix or blend that matches your climate and site conditions.
#67
When you save water, you save money on your utility bills too. Saving water is easy for everyone to do.
#68
When the kids want to cool off, use the sprinkler in an area where your lawn needs it the most.
#69
Make sure your swimming pools, fountains, and ponds are equipped with recirculating pumps.
#70
Bathe your young children together.
#71
Consult with your local nursery for information on plant selection and placement for optimum outdoor water savings.
#72
Winterize outdoor spigots when temperatures dip below freezing to prevent pipes from leaking or bursting.
#73
Insulate hot water pipes for more immediate hot water at the faucet and for energy savings.
#74
Wash your car on the lawn, and you'll water your lawn at the same time.
#75
Drop your tissue in the trash instead of flushing it and save water every time.
#76
Direct water from rain gutters and HVAC systems toward water-loving plants in the landscape for automatic water savings.
#77
Make suggestions to your employer about ways to save water and money at work.
#78
Support projects that use reclaimed wastewater for irrigation and industrial uses.
#79
Use a hose nozzle or turn off the water while you wash your car. You'll save up to 100 gallons every time.
#80
Share water conservation tips with friends and neighbors.
#81
If your toilet was installed before 1992, reduce the amount of water used for each flush by inserting a displacement device in the tank.
#82
Setting cooling systems and water softeners for a minimum number of refills saves both water and chemicals, plus more on utility bills.
#83
Washing dark clothes in cold water saves both on water and energy while it helps your clothes to keep their colors.
#84
Leave lower branches on trees and shrubs and allow leaf litter to accumulate on the soil. This keeps the soil cooler and reduces evaporation.
#85
Report broken pipes, open hydrants and errant sprinklers to the property owner or your water provider.
#86
Let your lawn go dormant during the summer. Dormant grass only needs to be watered every three weeks or less if it rains.
#87
Plant with finished compost to add water-holding and nutrient-rich organic matter to the soil.
#88
Use sprinklers that deliver big drops of water close to the ground. Smaller water drops and mist often evaporate before they hit the ground.
#89
Listen for dripping faucets and running toilets. Fixing a leak can save 300 gallons a month or more.
#90
Water only when necessary. More plants die from over-watering than from under-watering.
#91
One more way to get eight glasses of water a day is to re-use the water left over from cooked or steamed foods to start a scrumptious and nutritious soup.
92
Adjust your watering schedule each month to match seasonal weather conditions and landscape requirements.
#93
Turn off the water while you wash your hair to save up to 150 gallons a month.
#94
Wash your pets outdoors in an area of your lawn that needs water.
#95
When shopping for a new clothes washer, compare resource savings among Energy Star models. Some of these can save up to 20 gallons per load, and energy too.
#96
Apply water only as fast as the soil can absorb it.
#97
Aerate your lawn at least once a year so water can reach the roots rather than run off the surface.
#98
When washing dishes by hand, fill the sink basin or a large container and rinse when all of the dishes have been soaped and scrubbed.
#99
Catch water in an empty tuna can to measure sprinkler output. One inch of water on one square foot of grass equals two-thirds of a gallon of water.
#100
Turn off the water while you shave and save up to 300 gallons a mont
Ways To Conseve Water.Retrieval September 2,2010,from
http://www.wateruseitwisely.com/100-ways-to-conserve/index.ph
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