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Below are some simple steps you can take to ensure wiser water usage:
Out-of-doors
- Use automatic shut-off nozzles on hoses.
- Keep weeds under control. Weeds steal water from plants.
- Water only when your plants need it.
- Water plants during non-daylight hours or during cooler parts of the day. Water applied in the middle of the day is subject to rapid evaporation and is wasted.
- Install mulch around trees and shrubs. Mulch holds moisture. For trees and shrubs, mulch depth should be 2-4 inches and, most importantly, kept about 4 inches away from the tree trunk. Avoid “mulch volcanoes” where mulch is piled up around the base of trees.
- Sweep driveways rather than hosing them off.
- Cover pools when not in use to minimize evaporation.
- Lower pool water level to minimize the amount splashed out.
In you home
- Fix leaky faucets and toilets immediately. A dripping faucet can waste over 600 gallons of water a month.
- Toilets can leak silently. To check for silent leaks, put a few drops of dark food coloring in the tank. Wait 5 minutes. If color appears in the bowl, your toilet needs to be repaired.
- Thaw frozen food overnight in the refrigerator or in the microwave, not under running water.
- Keep a container of drinking water in the refrigerator, rather than letting water run until cool.
- Use sink garbage disposals sparingly. Compost food waste when possible.
- Run the dishwasher only when full.
- Select the appropriate load size on the washing machine.
When rainfall is low, water resources reach levels for concern. Also, water use goes up in the warm months when water is the least available. During hot and humid days, we all like to enjoy and use water more freely when, in reality, we need to be more aware of conservation. |
