Water Conservation

Being smart about water use will help protect the water supply for future generations and save on your water bill.  First, a few stats:

How many of the following water saving methods do you use?

BATHROOM
      Toilets:

• Test toilets for leaks. (Add a few drops of food coloring to the water in the tank.  Watch to see if coloring appears in the bowl within a few minutes. If it does, the fixture needs adjustment or repair.)
• Install a new low-volume flush toilet that uses 3.5 gallons or less per flush
• If you do not have a low volume toilet, use a tank displacement devise.  (Fill a one-gallon plastic bottle with stones or water, recap, and place in toilet tank, thus reducing the amount of water in the tank.  Do not use bricks as they crumble eventually and can cause damage to the working mechanism.)
• Do not use the toilet to dispose of cleaning tissues, cigarette butts, or other trash. This not only wastes water, it places an unnecessary load on the sewage treatment plant or septic tank.

      Showers:

• Take showers rather than baths
• Take short showers.  Install a cutoff valve or turn water off while soaping and back on again to rinse.
• Shampoo hair in the shower
• Install a low-flow shower head
• If bathing, reduce level of water by one or two inches

      Washing hands:

• Don't use hot water when cold will do.   Use hot water only when hands are especially dirty.
• Don't let the water run.  Wet hands, turn off water, soap and scrub, turn water on to rinse.

      Brushing teeth:  

• Turn water off until time to rinse

      Shaving:  

• Hold hot water in the basin instead of letting water run

      Faucets:

• Install faucet aerators to reduce water consumption

KITCHEN

• Use a pan of water.  Don't let water run to rinse vegetables or to rinse dishes.
• Run the dishwasher only with a full load
• Use the sink disposal sparingly, not for just a few scraps
• Keep a container of drinking water in the refrigerator or, better yet, in a picnic jug on the kitchen counter
• Cook vegetables in only a small amount of water.  (Added benefit:  more nutritious food since vitamins and minerals are not poured down the drain with extra cooking water.)
• Make only the amount of coffee you will drink

 LAUNDRY

• Wash full loads as much as possible
• For light loads, use the lowest water level setting available
• Use cold water whenever possible to save energy

APPLIANCES

• When purchasing new appliances, compare water requirements of various models and brands
• Check all water line connections and faucets for leaks.  Even small leaks waste water.
• Learn to replace faucet washers so that drips can be corrected promptly
• Check for water leakage between water meter and house.  (To check, turn off all indoor and outdoor faucets. If water meter continues to turn, a leak probably exists and needs to be located.)
• Lower hot water heater thermostat.  (Hot water often has to be cooled with cold water before it can be used.)

HOUSE PLANTS  

• More plants die from over-watering than from being too dry.  Use a moisture meter to determine when house plants need water.

LAWNS

• Water early in the morning. Set automatic sprinkler systems to operate between 4:00-6:00 a.m. 
• Use a sprinkler that produces large drops of water, rather than a fine mist
• Turn soaker hoses so holes are on the bottom
• Water slowly for better absorption.  Never water in high winds.
• Before planting, condition soil with compost so water will soak in rather than run off.
• Fertilize lawns twice a year for root stimulation.  Good root systems make better use of less water.
• Know when grass needs watering.  If it has turned a dull grey green or if foot prints remain visible, it's time to water.
• Don't water too frequently.   Too much water can encourage plant diseases.
• Don't over-water.  An inch and 1/2 of water applied once a week will keep most Texas grasses alive and healthy.
• Don't scalp lawns during hot weather. Taller grass holds moisture better.
• Hand water with a hose or water can in small areas that need more frequent watering
• Plant grass, shrubbery, and plants that do best in the area where you live. Attractive arrangements of plants that are adapted to arid or semi-arid climates should be chosen.
• Incorporate rocks, gravel, wood chips or other materials that require no water in your landscape
• Do not "sweep" walks and driveways with a hose

WASHING CARS

• Use a bucket of soapy water and use the hose only for rinsing

MY SCORE:    40-44    Superior
                          35-39    Very good
                          30-34    I'm learning
                          >29       Thanks for the tips and I'll work on it!