Water Conservation Tips

Household Tips

American's have access to an abundance of water much of the time, so the importance of clean water is often overlooked. For most of us, water use is a habit. We are accustomed to having water available at the twist of a faucet. We usually do not think about how much water we use.

AVERAGE DAILY WATER USE

Be aware of how much water you use! Awareness is the first step in conservation. The average person uses fifty gallons of water per day on the following activities:

· Toilet - 19 gallons per day
· Bathing & hygiene - 15 gallons per day
· Laundry - eight gallons per day
· Kitchen - seven gallons per day
· Housekeeping - one gallon per day  

TOTAL 50 GALLONS

You can determine your average daily water use by using one of the following two methods.

Metered Water

If your water use is metered, review your water bill. Divide your water usage by the number of days in the billing period and also by the number of residents of your household. If your water is measured in cubic feet, convert to gallons by multiplying by 7.48.

Unmetered Water

If your water use is not metered, you must determine your water use for each fixture. Flow rates for showers and faucets can be measured by using a container and watch to measure the amount of water discharged through the fitting in a minute. Toilet use per flush can be approximated by measuring the volume of water inside the toilet tank (width x length x height) and dividing by 231. (There are 231 cubic inches in a gallon of water.) After you have determined the water use of each fixture, you will need to record the number of uses and the length of time each fixture is used to determine your average daily water use. Remember to estimate the amount of water used by appliances such as clothes washers and dishwashers as well as home water treatment systems.

Water-saving devices are economical and permanent. Low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators save valuable water and energy used to heat water without requiring changes in personal water use habits.

WATER SAVINGS

The amount of savings depends on current water consumption habits, water, sewer and energy costs, current flow rates of fixtures and flush volumes of toilets, system pressure, and the amount of water leakage through fittings and toilets.

The following chart highlights how much water can be conserved by installing water-saving equipment in place of conventional plumbing fixtures, fittings and appliances.

* Manufactured before 1978
** Manufactured from 1978 to 1993
*** Manufactured since January 1, 1994


REPAIR ALL LEAKSA

dripping faucet is more than annoying...it is expensive. Even small leaks can waste significant amounts of water. Hot water leaks are a waste of water and of the energy used to heat the water.

Leaks inside the toilet can waste up to 200 gallons of water a day. Toilet leaks can be detected by adding a few drops of food coloring to water in the toilet tank. If the colored water appears in the bowl, the toilet is leaking.

If you have a leaking faucet or toilet, stop pouring money down the drain and repair it.HOW TO SAVE

WATER IN THE BATHROOM

· When constructing a new home or remodeling your bathroom, install low consumption (1.6 gal/flush)   toilets.

· Place a weighted plastic one-half gallon jug or a toilet dam in the tanks of conventional toilets to   displace and save water with each flush.

· Install low-flow aerators and showerheads. They are inexpensive, easy to install, and save water and   energy.

· Do not let the faucet flow while brushing your teeth or shaving. Use a glass of water for rinsing teeth.

· Take showers instead of tub baths. Consider bathing small children together. · If your shower has a   single-handle control or shut off valve, turn off the flow while soaping or shampooing.

· Leaking diverter valves (valves which divert water from the tub spout to the showerhead) should be   replaced.

HOW TO SAVE WATER IN THE KITCHEN AND LAUNDRY

· Refrigerate a bottle of drinking water instead of letting a faucet flow until the water is cold enough to   drink.

· Use a dishpan or plug the sink for washing and rinsing dishes. Install a low-flow aerator on all faucets.

· Pre-rinsing dishes prior to loading in a dishwasher is an unnecessary and wasteful use of water.

· Operate the washing machine and dishwasher only when they are fully loaded.

· Use the proper water level or load size selection on the washing machine.

· When purchasing a washing machine or dishwasher, consider water consumption as well as energy
  efficiency. Most manufacturers now provide this information to consumers.

HOW TO SAVE WATER OUTSIDE THE HOME

The watering of lawns and gardens can double normal household water use during the hot, dry summer months. At standard household water pressures, a garden hose will discharge up to 6½ gallons of water per minute. To apply an inch of water to 1,000 square feet of lawn or garden requires 620 gallons of water.

Watering should be limited to gardens, and newly planted lawns and landscaped areas. Established lawns and landscape plantings will usually survive without watering. Inadequate watering encourages shallow root growth and increases the risk of mortality. When water is scarce, your community or individual water supply should be reserved for your most essential needs.

· Use a broom, not a hose, to clean driveways, steps and sidewalks.

· If a hose must be used, control the flow with an automatic shut-off nozzle.

· Water your garden during the coolest part of the day. Do not water on windy days.

· Use mulch around shrubs and garden plants to reduce evaporation from the soil surface and cut down on weed growth.

HOW TO CONSERVE WATER IN THE COMMUNITY

· Encourage the use of water conservation devices by large water-using facilities such as schools,   health clubs, motels and others.

· Survey water users within large water using facilities and develop plans to reduce water use.

· Encourage a community-based service organization such as a scout group, service club or church   youth group to start a water conservation program. Water conservation is stewardship of our natural   resources.

· Encourage use of drought tolerant vegetation in outdoor landscaping at large facilities and community   sites.

· Retrofit older buildings and facilities with water-efficient plumbing fixtures.

                                                   Indoor Per Capita Use by Fixture Source

Have You Been Flushing $50 Bills Down the Toilet?

Take the tank lid off your toilet and then flush. Now, as the flapper closes, look at the bowl. The bowl is full of water, yet notice how much water is forced down the overflow tube under 40-80 pounds of pressure. Where is all that water going? That's right! It goes straight down into the sewer! The problem is actually a design problem-a remnant of 50 years ago when fresh water was plentiful and cheap... Neither is true today, yet basic toilet design hasn't changed in 50 years.

From an environmental point of view, this is a real tragedy. Collectively, we are flushing millions of gallons of clean water into our sewer systems every day! To add insult to injury, you and I pay for this water. We pay for the water coming into the house. We pay for sewer, and with our taxes, we pay for ever-expanding water treatment plants.

100 Ways to Save Water

#1. There are a number of ways to save water, and they all start with you.

#2. 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.

#3. Evaporative coolers require a seasonal maintenance checkup. For more efficient cooling, check your evaporative cooler annually.

#4. Check your sprinkler system frequently and adjust sprinklers so only your lawn is watered and not the house, sidewalk, or street.

#5. Run your washing machine and dishwasher only when they are full and you could save 1000 gallons a month.

#6. Avoid planting turf in areas that are hard to water such as steep inclines and isolated strips along sidewalks and driveways.

#7. Install covers on pools and spas and check for leaks around your pumps.

#8. Use the garbage disposal less often.

#9. Plant during the spring or fall when the watering requirements are lower.

#10. Keep a pitcher of water in the refrigerator instead of running the tap for cold drinks, so that every drop goes down you not the drain.

#11. Check your water meter and bill to track your water usage.

#12. Always water during the early morning hours, when temperatures are cooler, to minimize evaporation.

#13. Wash your produce in the sink or a pan that is partially filled with water instead of running water from the tap.

#14. Use a layer of organic mulch around plants to reduce evaporation and save hundreds of gallons of water a year.

#15. Use a broom instead of a hose to clean your driveway and sidewalk and save up to 80 gallons of water every time.

#16. If your shower can fill a one-gallon bucket in less than 20 seconds, then replace it with a water-efficient showerhead.

#17. Collect the water you use for rinsing produce and reuse it to water houseplants.

#18. Water your lawn in several short sessions rather than one long one. This will allow the water to be better absorbed.

#19. We’re more likely to notice leaky faucets indoors, but don’t forget to check outdoor faucets, pipes, and hoses for leaks.

#20. Periodically check your pool for leaks if you have an automatic refilling device.

#21. Only water your lawn when needed. You can tell this by simply walking across your lawn. If you leave footprints, it’s time to water.

#22. When you shop for a new appliance, keep in mind that one offering several different cycles will be more water and energy-efficient.

#23. Time your shower to keep it under 5 minutes. You’ll save up to 1000 gallons a month.

#24. Install low-volume toilets.

#25. Adjust your lawn mower to a higher setting. Longer grass will reduce the loss of water to evaporation.

#26. When you clean your fish tank, use the water you’ve drained on your plants. The water is rich in nitrogen and phosphorus, providing you with a free and effective fertilizer.

#27. Water small areas of grass by hand to avoid waste.

#28. Put food coloring in your toilet tank. If it seeps into the toilet bowl, you have a leak. It's easy to fix, and you can save more than 600 gallons a month.

#29. Plug the bathtub before turning the water on, then adjust the temperature as the tub fills up.

#30. Use porous materials for walkways and patios to keep water in your yard and prevent wasteful runoff.

#31. Collect and use rain water for watering your garden. (Check to make sure this is legal in your area.)

#32. Designate one glass for your drinking water each day. This will cut down on the number of times you run your dishwasher.

#33. Instead of using a hose or a sink to get rid of paints, motor oil, and pesticides, dispose of them properly by recycling or sending them to a hazardous waste site.

#34. Install a rain shut-off device on your automatic sprinklers to eliminate unnecessary watering.

#35. Don’t use running water to thaw food.

#36. Choose a water-efficient drip irrigation for your trees, shrubs, and flowers. Watering roots is very effective, be careful not to over water.

#37. Grab a wrench and fix that leaky faucet. It’s simple, inexpensive, and can save 140 gallons a week.

#38. Cut back on the amount of grass in your yard by planting shrubs and ground cover or landscaping with rock.

#39. When doing laundry, match the water level to the size of the load.

#40. Teach your children to turn the faucets off tightly after each use.

#41. Remember to check your sprinkler system valves periodically for leaks and keep the heads in good shape.

#42. Before you lather up, install a low-flow showerhead. They’re inexpensive, easy to install, and can save your family more than 500 gallons a week.

#43. Soak your pots and pans instead of letting the water run while you scrape them clean.

#44. Don’t water your lawn on windy days. After all, sidewalks and driveways don#146;t need water.

#45. Water deeply but less frequently to create healthier and stronger landscapes.

#46. Make sure you know where your master water shut-off valve is located. This could save gallons of water and damage to your home if a pipe were to burst.

#47. When watering grass on steep slopes, use a soaker hose to prevent wasteful runoff.

#48. To get the most from your watering time, group your plants according to their water needs.

#49. Remember to weed your lawn and garden regularly. Weeds compete with other plants for nutrients, light, and water.

#50. While fertilizers promote plant growth, they also increase water consumption. Apply the minimum amount of fertilizer needed.

#51. Avoid installing ornamental water features unless the water is being recycled.

#52. Use a commercial car wash that recycles water.

#53. Don’t buy recreational water toys that require a constant flow of water.

#54. Turn off the water while you brush your teeth and save 4 gallons a minute. That’s 200 gallons a week for a family of four.

#55. Buy a rain gauge to track how much rain or irrigation your yard receives.

#56. Encourage your school system and local government to help develop and promote a water conservation ethic among children and adults.

#57. Teach your family how to shut off your automatic watering systems so anyone who is home can turn sprinklers off when a storm is approaching.

#58. Set a kitchen timer when watering your lawn or garden with a hose.

#59. Make sure your toilet flapper doesn’t stick open after flushing.

#60. Make sure there are aerators on all of your faucets.

#61. 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.

#62. Install an instant water heater on your kitchen sink so you don’t have to let the water run while it heats up. This will also reduce heating costs for your household.

#63. Use a grease pencil to mark the water level of your pool at the skimmer. Check the mark 24 hours later. Your pool should lose no more than 1/4 inch each day.

#64. Spot spray or remove weeds as they appear.

#65. Use a screwdriver as a soil probe to test soil moisture. If it goes in easily, don#146;t water. Proper lawn watering can save thousands of gallons of water annually.

#66. Install a drip irrigation system around your trees and shrubs to water more efficiently.

#67. Mow your lawn as infrequently as possible. Mowing puts your lawn under additional stress, causing it to require more water.

#68. Don’t use the sprinklers just to cool off or for play. Running through water from a hose or sprinkler wastes gallons of water.

#69. Make sure your swimming pools, fountains, and ponds are equipped with recirculating pumps.

#70. Bathe your young children together.

#71. Direct downspouts or gutters toward shrubs or trees.

#72. Winterize outdoor spigots to avoid pipes from bursting or freezing.

#73. Insulate hot water pipes so you don’t have to run as much water to get hot water to the faucet.

#74. Drop that tissue in the trash instead of flushing it and save gallons every time.

#75. Drop your tissue in the trash instead of flushing it and save gallons every time.

#76. If you have an evaporative air conditioner, direct the water drain to a flower bed, tree, or your lawn.

#77. Make suggestions to your employer to save water (and dollars) at work.

#78. When brushing your teeth never leave tap water running.

#79. Use a hose nozzle and turn off the water while you wash your car and save more than 100 gallons.

#80. Encourage your friends and neighbors to be part of a water-conscious community.

#81. Install a toilet dam or bottle filled with water in your toilet tank to cut down on the amount of water used for each flush. Be sure these devices do not interfere with operating parts.

#82. Install water softening systems only when necessary. Save water and salt by running the minimum number of regenerations necessary to maintain water softness.

#83. Wash clothes only when you have a full load and save up to 600 gallons each month.

#84. Prune back heavy foliage. Reducing leaf area reduces water needs.

#85. Pick-up the phone and report significant water losses from broken pipes, open hydrants and errant sprinkers to the property owner or your water management district.

#86. If your grass is brown, it’s not dead, it’s just dormant. Dormant grass only needs to be watered every three weeks. When the rain begins, your grass will turn green again.

#87. Start a compost pile. Using compost when you plant adds water-holding organic matter to the soil.

#88. Listen for dripping faucets and toilets that flush themselves. Fixing a leak can save 500 gallons each month.

#89. Listen for dripping faucets and toilets that flush themselves. Fixing a leak can save 500 gallons each month.

#90. More plants die from over-watering than from under-watering. Be sure only to water plants when necessary.

#91. Adjust your watering schedule to the season. Water your summer lawn every third day and your winter lawn every fifth day.

#92. Adjust your watering schedule to the season. Water your summer lawn every third day and your winter lawn every fifth day.

#93. Turn the water off while you shampoo and condition your hair and you can save more than 50 gallons a week.

#94. Bathe your pets outdoors in an area in need of water.

#95. Choose new water-saving appliances, like washing machines that save up to 20 gallons per load.

#96. Water only as rapidly as the soil can absorb the water.

#97. Aerate your lawn. Punch holes in your lawn about six inches apart so water will reach the roots rather than run off the surface.

#98. Select the proper size pans for cooking. Large pans require more cooking water than may be necessary.

#99. Place an empty tuna can on your lawn to catch and measure the water output of your sprinklers. For lawn watering advice, contact your local conservation office.

#100. Turn off the water while you shave and you can save more than 100 gallons a week.

American Evergreen Foundation
1 888 USA-GREEN
E-Mail: AEF@usagreen.org