USE WATER WISELY...

       TIPS FOR SAVING WATER

 

CONSERVE WHEN CLEANING.  For heavy cleaning, use water you've saved from other household uses and then a clean rinse.  Limit soaps and cleaning agents.

SHORT SHOWERS SAVE WATER.  To be a water saver, install a low-flow showerhead and keep showers under five minutes.  Turn off the water to soap up.

FLUSH ONLY WHEN NECESSARY.  Avoid using the toilet for a wastebasket. Every flush you eliminate can save between two and seven gallons of water.  Install a water-efficient toilet.

TEST YOUR TOILET.  Leaks waste water.  Add several drops of food coloring to the toilet tank.  If it's leaking, the coloring will appear in the toilet without flushing.

REDUCE WATER USE.  If you don't have a low-flow toilet, use plastic bottles filled with water and pebbles to displace water in the tank.  Don't obstruct flow.  Don't use bricks.  

BRUSH TEETH EFFICIENTLY.  Don't let the water run while you brush your teeth or shave.  Turn the faucet on briefly to rinse.  An electric razor saves the most.

CONSERVE WATER.  Filling the tub uses about 50 gallons of water.  Try bathing in just 10 Gallons.  Plug the tub when you shower; how full does the tub get?

DON'T WASTE CLEAN WATER.  Plug the bathtub and start the hot water; wait to add cold water until the water in the tub has reached the right temperature. When you've finished bathing, use the bath water to clean the tub.

WASH CLOTHES WISELY.  Match washer's load selector to your load size.  Try to wash only full loads.  Minimize detergent use.  Save energy by using cold water to wash.

SAVE WATER AND ENERGY.  Buying a new washing machine?  Choose wisely.  Find the one that conserves water and energy and has a suds-saver attachment.

USE LOW-SUDS DETERGENT.  Washing clothes by hand can be easier and save water if you use only a small amount of low-suds detergent and presoak really dirty items.

STOP LEAKS.  Twice a year, check all faucets inside and outside for leaks.  Replace worn-out Fixtures, washers, O-rings, and hose connections.  Turn faucets off firmly.

MULCH TO RETAIN WATER.  Plant hardy, water saving plants, trees, and shrubs, particularly native species.  Mow less frequently in dry times.  Limit lawn by using gravel or bark.

COVER POOL OR SPA.  Cover pools and spas to reduce evaporation.  Avoid overflows and splashed by reducing water levels.  Water landscape with wading pool water.

CONSERVE WHEN DINING OUT.  At restaurants, request only the drinking water you need.  At work, fill your durable cup at the water fountain to reduce waste.

USE ICE TO COOL WATER.  Cool drinking water in the refrigerator or with ice, not by running tap.  Use leftover drinking water for pets or to water plants.

FIND A BETTER WAY.  Avoid using garbage disposals.  Compost or feed leftovers to pets when possible.  Use recycled water in disposal.

PREPARE FOOD EFFICIENTLY.  Speed cleaning food by using a vegetable brush.  Spray water in short bursts.  Faucet aerators cut consumption.

DEFROST SENSIBLY.  Plan ahead to defrost foods overnight in the refrigerator.  Don't use running water.  Use the microwave or put wrapped food in a bowl of cold water.

REDUCE DISHWASHING.  Use a rubber spatula to scrape dishes clean to limit pre-rinse.  Let really dirty pans or dishes soak to speed washing. 

USE FEWER DISHES.  Limit dishwasher use to full loads.  Minimize detergent use.  Prepare food with an eye to reducing dishwashing.

USE HOT WATER EFFICIENTLY.  Letting water run from the faucet until it heats up is a waste.  Instead of sending it down the drain, capture clean water for other uses. Insulate hot water pipes to save energy.

WASH CARS EFFICIENTLY.  Choose a car wash that recycles water.  At home, use a shut-off nozzle and wash your car in small sections.  Direct runoff to water landscaping.

WATER YARDS WISELY.  Landscaping benefits most from slow, thorough infrequent watering.  Minimize evaporation by watering in early morning or evening.  Aerate lawns.  Install drip irrigation and automatic timers.