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Wash only full loads in your
washing machine and dishwasher. |
|
Don't run water continuously when
washing dishes by hand. |
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Attach "low-flow" faucet aerators
to faucets. |
|
Take short showers instead of
baths. A full bathtub requires about 36 gallons of water. A five-minute shower using a flow restrictor will use just
15 to 25 gallons. |
|
Install "low-flow" showerheads and
toilets. |
|
Don't leave the water running when
brushing your teeth or shaving. With the tap running at full force, shaving
takes 20 gallons of water, teeth brushing takes 10 and hand washing takes
two. |
|
Check for leaky faucets and
toilets, and then repair them immediately. A leaky tap, dripping once per
second, wastes six gallons of water a day. |
|
Don't run water continuously when
washing your car. Use a nozzle on the hose to stop the water flow between
rinsing. Clean the car with a pail of soapy water. |
|
Use a broom, not a hose, to clean
driveways and sidewalks.
|
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Use water for landscaping more efficiently:
|
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Plan before you plant - consider
plant needs for moisture, sunlight, etc. in advance. |
|
Improve the soil structure - work
organic material such as peat moss or compost into the soil to help retain
water and assist in plant growth. Aerating your yard once a year also will
help it retain water. |
|
Cut down on grass - grass requires
up to four times as much water as other plants. Cut back on the amount of
grass in your yard by planting shrubs or ground cover or putting in rock
gardens. |
|
Water efficiently - use a
sprinkler with a low application rate (about one-third inch per hour) and
check for even coverage. Established grass only needs an inch of water each
week. |
|
Water your lawn in the evenings or
early mornings to reduce evaporation. When you do water, water long enough
for moisture to soak down to the roots where it will do the most good. |
|
Make the most of mulches - three
to four inches of mulch on top of the soil, especially before spring and
fall rains, will reduce water needs, moderate soil temperature and inhibit
weed growth. |
|
Choose climate friendly plants -
many native plants can survive on rainwater alone, and they're more disease
and insect resistant. |
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Care for what you plant - weed and
prune regularly to ensure water is going where it's needed. |
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