Water Conservation Tips for Residential Users

Posted on: June 22, 2007

Want to know what you can do to conserve water this summer?

In Your Yard:

Outdoor water use accounts for almost half the water used by the American home, and thus provides the greatest single opportunity for conserving.

1. Water early in the morning before 10:00 a.m. Watering in the heat of the day allows the water to evaporate and watering late in the day may promote fungus and other lawn diseases.
   
2. Depending on the weather, it’s generally better to water once a week and provide 1 inch to 1 ½ inches of water. (If it’s hot, you might have to water more often.)
   
3. Time how long it takes to apply one inch of water by placing a flat-bottomed can about 6-feet away from the sprinkler.
   
4. Make sure you water thoroughly and deeply at each watering. By watering this way, roots are encouraged to grow deep into the soil where they’ll be better protected from the summer heat and dryness.
   
5. Do not mow lawns too short. Set lawn mower blades one notch higher. Longer grass means less evaporation.
   
6. Put a layer of mulch around trees and plants. Chunks of bark, peat moss or gravel slows down evaporation.
   
7. Don’t water the lawn on windy days. There’s too much evaporation.
   
8. Cut down watering on cool and overcast days and don’t water in the rain. Adjust or deactivate automatic sprinklers.
   
9. Have an evaporative air conditioner? Direct the water drain line to a flower bed, tree base, or lawn.
   
10. Consider letting your lawn brown out. It will come back.
    

Repair Leaks:

Check faucets and hose connections for leaks. Inspect pipes for pinhole leaks, and leaking joints. A slow drip can waste 15 to 20 gallons a day. Fix it and you will save almost 6,000 gallons a year.

Showers and Baths:

Use low volume showerheads. They are inexpensive and can pay for themselves in water, sewer and energy savings in less than a year. For a five minute shower they can reduce water usage from some 40 gallons to 12 to 15 gallons.

Toilets:

Flush only when needed. Put a water displacement device inside the toilet tank. Check for leaks.

Clothes Washer and Dishwasher:

Do only full loads. Avoid using extra cycles whenever possible. Choose a water-saving model.

Drinking Water:

Keep a container of cool water in the refrigerator instead of running the faucet. Leave the water off when brushing your teeth or shaving.

For more information visit h2ouse.org or drinktap.org.

Article written by Jo Rice, Broker for portlandrealestate.com.