With this being one of the driest years ever recorded, we can all do our part to conserve water.
See below for some helpful tips on how to.
Tips on how:
Don’t let water run while shaving, brushing teeth or rinsing dishes.
Listen for dripping faucets and toilets that flush themselves. Fixing a leak can potentially save hundreds of gallons each month.
Read your meter and wait 10 minutes. Be sure to stop all water use inside and outside the home, including ice makers. When the 10 minutes are up, take another reading of the meter and compare it to the first reading. If the reading has changed, there is a leak.
Check to make sure your toilet isn't constantly running.
Remove the tank lid.
Check the water level in the tank.
Drop a dye tablet or several drops of food dye (colored Gatorade works too!) into the tank.
Check the water in the bowl for color. If there is color, there is a leak.
Water between midnight and 6:00 a.m. to reduce water loss from evaporation and wind. Water your lawn and garden in 2 short cycles rather than one long one. Watering to a depth of 4 to 6” will encourage deeper healthier roots and allow the plants to go without water for longer periods of time.
DROUGHT DO'S & DON'TS
DO'S:
DON'TS:
DON'TS:
DO only wash full loads of laundry and dishes to spread out wash cycles.
DO look for leaky faucets and running toilets. Repairing a dripping faucet can save up to 150 gallons of water a week.Utilize leak detector tablets to determine if your toilet has a leak.
DO comply with city burn-ban rules.These often prohibit the use of fireworks, fires, and even wood stoves and fireplaces.
DO purchase water-saving shower heads, aerators, hose nozzels, and other efficient household items.AM Conservation Group offers a full range of water conservation products.
DO store water in the refrigerator instead of letting the tap run for cool water.
DO remove weeds from your lawn regularly.Weeds compete with plants for nutrients and water.
DO collect water used to rinse fruit or vegetables, and use it to water plants.
DO aim to do at least one thing per day to conserve water.
DON'TS:
DON'TS:
DON'TS:
DON'T hand-wash your car.Instead, take it to a car wash where recycled water is used.
DON'T leave the sink running while brushing your teeth or utilize a bathroom aerator to slow the flow of water when brushing your teeth.
DON'T over-water lawns and landscapes.If watering is necessary, do it during the evening to reduce evaporation from the sun. Products like moisture meters can help measure this.
DON'T take long showers.Keeping showers under 5 minutes can save up to 1,000 gallons of water per month. Encourage your household members to shorten showers and utilize a shower timer.
DON'T use the toilet as a waste basket for tissues, Band-Aids, etc.
DON'T keep water conservation tips to yourself.Encourage family, friends and coworkers to be proactive about saving water (a "water saving tip of the week" in your employee newsletter, a who-can-save-the-most-water contest among family members, etc.)