Save Water 49 Ways
They are going to triple water costs for a few
years. They can't cause inflation yet, but they will
in 2012. So they're gonna nick you the only way they can. Gasoline,
Rents, Food, Water, Utilities. So outsmart them.
WATER THRIFT is going to really pay off. It will
give you enough money to buy paid up land for growing food.
They're trying to make
that illegal right now. Only agribusinesses will grow food
if MONSANTO gets its wish. The wife of a big MONSANTO guy is a congresswoman,
trying to get that bill through. Google the name DE LAURO with the
word monsanto and organic. Even backyard gardens will
be made illegal. Google HR 875. So let's outsmart them. Be assiduous.
SAVE INDOORS
1.Never put water down the drain when there may be another use for
it such as watering a plant or garden, or cleaning. I use plastic square
containers that fit exactly inside my sink as 'sinks'. Dump them outside
kitchen door as that is where a part of my garden is. South side
of house. Orange tree, Peach tree, and as I grow in a grove, some smaller
plants and vines. That area I never have to hose water.
2.Verify that your home is leak-free, because many homes have hidden water leaks. Read your water meter before and after a two-hour period when no water is being used. If the meter does not read exactly the same, there is a leak.
3.Repair dripping faucets by replacing washers. If your faucet is dripping at the rate of one drop per second, you can expect to waste 2,700 gallons per year which will add to the cost of water and sewer utilities, or strain your septic system.
4.Check for toilet tank leaks by adding food coloring to the tank. If the toilet is leaking, color will appear within 30 minutes. Check the toilet for worn out, corroded or bent parts. Most replacement parts are inexpensive, readily available and easily installed. (Flush as soon as test is done, since food coloring may stain tank.)
5.Avoid flushing the toilet unnecessarily. Dispose of tissues, insects and other such waste in the trash rather than the toilet.
6.Take shorter showers. Replace you showerhead with an
ultra-low-flow version. Some units are available
that allow you to cut off the flow without
adjusting the water temperature knobs.
7.Use the minimum amount of water needed for a bath by
closing the drain first and filling the tub only 1/3
full. Stopper tub before turning water. The
initial burst of cold water can be warmed by adding hot water
later.
8.Don't let water run 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.
9.Retrofit all wasteful household faucets by installing aerators with flow restrictors.
10.Operate automatic dishwashers and clothes washers only when
they are fully loaded or properly set the
water level for the size of load you are using.
11.When washing dishes by hand, fill one sink or basin with soapy
water. Quickly rinse under a
slow-moving stream from the faucet.
12.Store drinking water in the refrigerator rather than letting
the tap run every time you want a cool glass of
water.
13.Do not use running water to thaw meat or other frozen foods.
Defrost food overnight in the refrigerator or
by using the defrost setting on your microwave.
14.Kitchen sink disposals require lots of water to operate properly.
Start a compost pile as an alternate
method of disposing food waste instead of
using a garbage disposal. Garbage disposals also can add
50% to the volume of solids in a septic tank
which can lead to malfunctions and maintenance problems.
15.Consider installing an instant water heater on your kitchen
sink so you don't have to let the water run
while it heats up. This will reduce heating
costs for your household.
16.Insulate your water pipes. You'll get hot water faster plus avoid wasting water while it heats up.
17.Never install a water-to-air heat pump or air-conditioning
system. Air-to-air models are just as efficient
and do not waste water.
18.Install water softening systems only when necessary. Save
water and salt by running the minimum
amount of regenerations necessary to maintain
water softness. Turn softeners off while on vacation.
19.Check your pump. If you have a well at your home, listen to
see if the pump kicks on and off while the
water is not in use. If it does, you have
a leak.
20.When adjusting water temperatures, instead of turning water
flow up, try turning it down. If the water is
too hot or cold, turn the offender down rather
than increasing water flow to balance the temperatures.
21.If the toilet flush handle frequently sticks in the flush
position, letting water run constantly, replace or
adjust it.
OUTDOORS
1.Don't over water your lawn. As a general rule, lawns
only need watering every 5 to 7 days in the summer
and every 10 to 14 days in the winter. A hearty
rain eliminates the need for watering for as long as two
weeks. Plant it smart, Xeriscape. Xeriscape
landscaping is a great way to design, install and maintain
both your plantings and irrigation system
that will save you time, money and water. For your free copy of
"Plant it Smart," an easy-to-use guide to
Xeriscape landscaping, contact your Water Management
District. GET
DRIP EMITTERS for the whole garden.
2.Water lawns during the early morning hours when temperatures
and wind speed are the lowest. This
reduces losses from evaporation.
3.Don't water your street, driveway or sidewalk. Position
your sprinklers so that your water lands on the
lawn and shrubs ... not the paved areas.
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. It is now
the law that "anyone who purchases and installs
an automatic lawn sprinkler system MUST install a rain
sensor device or switch which will override
the irrigation cycle of the sprinkler system when adequate
rainfall has occurred." To retrofit your existing
system, contact an irrigation professional for more
information.
6.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.
7.Avoid over fertilizing your lawn. The application of
fertilizers increases the need for water. Apply
fertilizers which contain slow-release, water-insoluble
forms of nitrogen.
8.Mulch to retain moisture in the soil. Mulching also
helps to control weeds that compete with pants for
water.
9.Plant native and/or drought-tolerant grasses, ground
covers, shrubs and trees. Once established, they
do not need to be watered as frequently and
they usually will survive a dry period without any watering.
Group plans together based on similar water
needs.
10.Do not hose down your driveway or sidewalk. Use a broom to
clean leaves and other debris from these
areas. Using a hose to clean a driveway can
waste hundreds of gallons of water.
11.Outfit your hose with a shut-off nozzle which can be adjusted
down to 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.
12.Use hose washers between spigots and water hoses to eliminate
leaks.
13.Do not leave sprinklers or hoses unattended. Your garden
hoses can pour out 600 gallons or more in
only a few hours, so don't leave the sprinkler
running all day. Use a kitchen timer to remind yourself to
turn it off.
14.Check all hoses, connectors and spigots regularly.
15.Consider using a commercial car wash that recycles water.
If you wash your own car, park on the grass
to do so.
16.Avoid the installation of ornamental water features (such
as fountains) unless the water is recycled.
Locate where there are mineral losses due
to evaporation and wind drift.
17.If you have a swimming pool, consider a new water-saving
pool filter. A single back flushing with a
traditional filter uses from 180 to 250 gallons
or more of water
GENERAL SAVING TIPS
1.Create an awareness of the need for water conservation
among your children. Avoid the purchase of
recreational water toys which require a constant
stream of water.
2.Be aware of and follow all water conservation and water
shortage rules and restrictions which may be in
effect in your area.
3.Encourage your employer to promote water conservation
at the workplace. Suggest that water
conservation be put in the employee orientation
manual and training program.
4.Patronize businesses which practice and promote water
conservation.
5.Report all significant water losses (broken pipes, open
hydrants, errant sprinklers, abandoned
free-flowing wells, etc.) to the property
owner, local authorities or your Water Management District.
6.Encourage your school system and local government to
help develop and promote a water conservation
ethic among children and adults.
7.Support projects that will lead to an increased use
of reclaimed waste water for irrigation and other
uses.
8.Support efforts and programs to create a concern for
water conservation among tourists and visitors to
our state. Make sure your visitors understand
the need for, and benefits of, water conservation.
9.Encourage your friends and neighbors to be part of a
water conscious community. Promote water
conservation in community newsletters, on
bulletin boards and by example.
10.Conserve water because it is the right thing to do. Don't
waste water just because someone else is
footing the bill such as when you are staying
at a hotel.
11.Try to do one thing each day that will result in a savings
of water. Don't worry if the savings is minimal
Every drop counts. And every person can make a difference.
So tell your friends,
neighbors and co-workers to "Turn it Off" and "Keep it Off".
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