Inside Water Saving Tips
1. Check all toilets for leaks. Leaks into the overflow pipe and through the flush valve are the most common and wasteful.
2. Repair dripping faucets by replacing washers.
3. Don’t let water run continuously while shaving or washing your face. Brush your teeth first while waiting for water to get hot, then wash or shave after filling the basin.
4. Avoid flushing the toilet unnecessarily. Dispose of tissues, insects and other such waste in the trash rather than the toilet.
5. Take more showers than baths, since bathing uses 15-25 gallons of hot water and a five minute shower uses approximately 10 gallons.
6. Install energy efficient shower heads. You will save on energy, water and sewer bills if the new shower head reduces the flow to less than two gallons per minute.
7. Install aerators with flow restrictors on faucets. New replacement faucets should have aerators and flow restrictors built-in.
8. Operate automatic dishwashers and clothes washers only when they are fully loaded or properly set the water level for the size of the load you are washing.
9. Hand wash dishes wisely. Wash dishes in soapy water in one sink and rinse in clear water in the other sink.
10. Don’t pre-rinse dishes before putting them in the dishwasher, scrape off food and empty liquids. Soaking or pre-washing is generally recommended in cases of burned-on or dried-on food. If you must rinse dishes, use cold water.
11. Store drinking water in the refrigerator rather than letting the tap run every time you want a cool glass of water.
12. Insulate water pipes. You will get hot water faster plus avoid wasting water while it heats up.
13. Wash full loads of clothes but do not overload. Washing one full load is more efficient than washing two small loads.
14. Locate your washing machine close to the hot water tank, if possible. This helps reduce the heat loss in long pipe runs. Insulate exposed pipes.
15. Wash most clothes in warm or cold water, rinse in cold. Switching the washer temperature setting from hot to warm could reduce a load’s energy in half.
16. Do not use too much detergent. Follow the instructions on the box. Over sudsing makes your machine work harder and use more energy.
17. Do not over-wash clothes. Delicate clothes do not need as long a wash cycle as dirty work clothes.
18. Presoak or use a soak cycle when washing heavily soiled garments. You will avoid two washings and save energy.
Outside Water Saving Tips
1. Don’t over water your lawn. Generally, lawns only need watering every 5 to 7 days in the summer and every 10 to 14 days in the winter.
2. Water lawns during the early morning hours when temperatures and wind speed are the lowest. This reduces loss from evaporation.
3. Position sprinklers so that the water lands on the lawn and shrubs, not on the street, driveway or sidewalk.
4. Install sprinklers that are the most water-efficient for each use. Micro and drip irrigation and soaker hoses are examples of water-efficient methods of irrigation.
5. Regularly check sprinkler systems and timing devices to be sure they are operating properly.
6. Avoid over fertilizing the lawn. The application of fertilizers increases the need for water. Apply fertilizers that contain slow-release, water-insoluble forms of nitrogen.
7. Mulch to retain moisture in the soil. Mulching also helps to control weeds that compete with plants for water.
8. Raise the lawn mower blade to at least three inches. A lawn cut higher encourages grass roots to grow deeper, shades the root system and holds soil moisture better than a closely clipped lawn.
9. Use a broom to clean driveway or sidewalks. Using a hose to clean a driveway can waste hundreds of gallons of water.
10. Outfit the hose with a shut-off nozzle which can be adjusted down to a fine spray so that water flows only as needed. When finished, turn it off at the faucet instead of at the nozzle to avoid leaks.
11. Use hose washers between spigots and water hoses to avoid leaks.
12. Do not leave sprinklers or hoses unattended.
13. Check all hoses, connectors and spigots regularly.