Efficient water use can save you money on water and utility bills and reduce the costs for sewer and septic services.
Using the following indoor and outdoor water saving tips will help you save water and money.
Tips to Save Water Outdoors:
Water in short repeated intervals for best absorption, especially on slopes or compacted soils. Prevent water runoff from your sprinkler system. Watering the sidewalk, gutter and street wastes water.
To reduce evaporation, water the lawn in the early morning or evening. Avoid watering during the heat of the day or when it is windy
Install a trickle or drip irrigation system for a slow, steady supply of water to the plant roots. Water only when needed. Frequency depends on plant and soil type. Water root areas of your plants to establish hardiness.
Low or no-water landscaping requires minimal amounts of water, fertilizer and pesticides. This can save you money.
Place a 2” to 4” layer of mulch around plants and trees to avoid excess evaporation.
Use native and adapted plants when landscaping your yard. These plants usually require less care and water. Consider installing plants that don’t require water once they are established for some or all of your yard.
Use a broom to clean walkways and driveways. Do not use the hose.
Clean gutters and downspouts manually instead of hosing them down.
Use a hose with a shut-off nozzle along with a bucket of soapy water to wash the car.
Tips to Save Water Indoors:
Install a water-saver toilet that uses only 1.6 gallons of water per flush.
Don’t run water in the sink while shaving, brushing your teeth or lathering your face and hands.
Take shallow baths, shorter showers and consider bathing small children together.
Avoid using the toilet as a wastebasket.In your Kitchen:
Clean vegetables or rinse dishes in a pan of water, not under a running faucet.
Keep a bottle of drinking water in the refrigerator to avoid running the tap to get a glass of cool water.
Use the short-cycle option and air-dry setting on your dishwasher.
Run only full loads in your dishwasher.In your Laundry:
Wash only with full loads and use water-level adjustment settings.
Use cold water detergents for a more effective cold water wash.
