Tips to Conserving Water

Summer is coming soon, time to think about water conservation. Getting out in the garden and keeping your lawn green are very important but so is conserving water. From checking the kitchen faucet to watching your laundry loads, there's a great deal we can all do to conserve water.

Below are some tips on how you can conserve water and reduce the environmental impact of water consumption both indoors and outside the home:

Water Your Lawn Only When It Needs It

An easy test to tell if your lawn needs water is to simply walk across the grass. If your footprints remain, it's time to water. (An added advantage of watering less often is that fewer, deep-soaking waterings encourage deep root growth and stronger lawn.)

Water in the Early Morning

As much as 30% percent of water can be lost to evaporation by watering during the afternoon.

Adjust the Lawn-mower One Step Higher

So to make your grass more drought-tolerant.

Use Drip Irrigation Hoses

For watering plants, and water in the early morning or early evening after the sun has gone down.

Use a Broom Instead of a Hose

For cleaning your sidewalk, driveway, or patio to remove debris. Go Without the Hose and Wash Your Vehicle with a Bucket and Sponge Alternatively. As stated by EPA WaterSense, a hose left on can waste as much as six gallons per minute while a bucket and sponge uses only a few gallons to do the work.

Keep a Container of Cold Water in the Refrigerator

You can avoid the charge and environmental impact of bottled water and you will have cold water on hand in the summer without running the faucet to get it cold enough to your liking.

Run the Dishwashers and Laundry Machines Only When Full

If you have a water-saver cycle, use it.

Balance the Water Level of Your Washing Machine

So that it matches your pile of clothes.

Regularly Examine The Toilets, Faucets and Pipes

When leaks become noticeable have them fixed immediately. An easy test for toilet leaks from EPA WaterSense: Place a drop of food coloring in the tank. If the color tints the water in the bowl without flushing, there's a leak. Check your water meter before and after a two-hour period when no water is being used. If the meter changes at all, you probably have a leak, which. You may need to call a plumber or another professional if you can not find the source of the leak to remedy the problem.