Water Conservation Tips

Outdoor Conservation Tips

Water your lawns before 10 am or after 4 pm so that water is less likely to be lost due to evaporation or wind.
Check your sprinkler system frequently and adjust sprinklers so only your lawn is watered and not the house, sidewalk, or street.
Only water your lawn when needed. You can tell this by simply walking across your lawn. If you leave footprints, it is time to water.
Check irrigation system, faucets, and hoses regularly and repair any leaks.
Make sure your irrigation system is operating as efficiently as possible.
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.
Use sprinklers that throw big drops of water close to the ground. Smaller drops of water and mist often evaporate before they hit the ground.
Set mower height up to 2 – 3 inches on cool season lawns (1½ inches on warm season lawns). This optimal blade height increases water efficiency and discourages invasive weedy grasses.
Use a broom instead of a hose to clean your driveway or sidewalk and save 80 gallons of water every time.
Use drip irrigation for shrubs and trees to apply water directly to the roots where it’s needed.
Avoid installing ornamental water features and fountains that spray water into the air.
Trickling or cascading fountains lose less water to evaporation.
Discourage use of water to wash automobiles, golf carts, trailers, boats and other types of mobile equipment.

Indoor Conservation Tips

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.
Run your washing machine and dishwasher only when they are full and you could save over 1,000 gallons per month.
Use the garbage disposal sparingly. Compost instead and save gallons every time.
Time your shower to keep it under 5 minutes. You’ll save up to 1,000 gallons a month.
Turn off water while brushing your teeth. This will save 4 gallons a minute – that’s 200 gallons a week for a family of four.
Turn off water while shaving and you can save more than 100 gallons a week.
When washing your hands, don’t let the water run while you lather.
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.

For more ideas on how to be water wise, please visit: www.h2ouse.org, www.saveourh2o.org, or www.saveourwater.com.