SOME SIMPLE WAYS TO CONSERVE WATER..

Don’t let it run.
We have all developed the bad habit of letting the faucet run while wait for the shower to warm up, while we brush our teeth, or while wait for a cold glass of water. Keeping a pitcher of water in the refrigerator or turning the faucet off while we brush our teeth can save several gallons of water each day! It’s simple really, before you turn on the tap, think of ways you can use less water to accomplish the same purpose.


Fix the drip.
There is no such thing as a little drip. A leaky faucet with a drip of just 1/16 of an inch in diameter (about this big –o–) can waste 10 gallons of water every day. You can turn off that drip by replacing worn washers or valve seats with the help of your parents. The silent leak. Even worse than the careless hand on the faucet is the silent toilet bowl leak, probably the single greatest water waster in homes. A leak of one gallon every 24 minutes—an average amount—totals 2.5 gallons per hour or 60 gallons per day! To check your toilet for a leak, place a few drops of food coloring in the tank and wait. If the color appears in the bowl, then there’s a leak. Often these leaks can be fixed with a few minor adjustments, cleaning calcium deposits from the toilet ball in the tank, or by replacing worn valves.

Close the hose.
Letting the garden hose run faster or longer than necessary while we water the lawn or wash the car often becomes a careless and wasteful habit. A ½ inch garden hose under normal water pressure pours out more than 600 gallons of water per hour and a ¾ inch hose delivers almost 1,900 gallons in the same length of time. If left on overnight, one garden hose can easily waste twice as much water as the average family uses in a month.

Irrigate Wisely.
We have all seen the neighbor waters their lawn during an afternoon thunder storm. We have all seen the corner business whose whose automatic sprinkler system consistently over-waters causing sheets of water to flow across sidewalks and parking lots. Be wise, watch the weather and irrigate only during the cooler parts of the day (early morning or late evening). How do you know if you lawn requires water? Try the step test. If you walk across your lawn and the grass does not spring back up, then it's time to water. Most grass varieties require minimal watering (1/4 - 1/2 inches, once or twice a week). Set a small cup next to your sprinkler to measure the amount your particular sprinkler delivers.

Check the plumbing.
Proper maintenance is one of the most effective water savers. Faucet washers are inexpensive and take only a few minutes to replace. At home, check all water taps, hoses, and hose connections (even those that connect to dishwashers and washing machines) for leaks. Check the garden hose too—it should be turned off at the faucet, not just at the nozzle.


The 5 Minute Challenge.
A quick shower uses around 20-30 gallons less water than a bath. Challenge yourself and your family members to take 5 minute showers. Use a kitchen timer to keep track. Install a water-saving showerhead for additional savings.

Teach your community.
Just as it is important to conserve water in your own home, it is important to help our towns and cities save water by teaching others to use water wisely. In agricultural areas, water may be saved by using more effective irrigation methods. In industrial areas, manufacturers can save water by reusing it and by treating industrial wastes. Cities and towns can save water by eliminating leaks and installing meters. Wastewater can be treated and reused. As you conserve water at home and in your community, you will help ensure that the water available now continues to meet the growing water needs of the future.

Get started conserving water today!
Take little steps each day to reduce the amount of water you use, by the end of the month it will become second nature.

Reuse And Recycle

By reusing and recycling the water you use inside and outside of your home, you can reduce your water bill while helping the environment. Any unused water that is free of detergents or chemicals can be used to clean your car or water your plants. This includes dehumidifier condensate and water used in food preparation. Visit only those commercial car washes that use recycled water. Collect rainwater by installing a rain barrel outside your home and use this water for gardening. GreenerChoices warns that some states have rules against using gray water, or wastewater.