Water saving tips

Article: Water saving tips

In general

• Check with your city, community, friends, or relatives on ways to save water, and support your local water recycling projects.

• Check and repair leaky water pipes, faucets, or couplings. Check and repair leaky pools.

• Whatever you do, don't let water running unattended.

• Repair your toilet if it's leaking. To test for leaky toilet,
  put some drops of food color in the tank. If color appears in
  the bowl without flushing, it's leaking.

• Take showers instead of baths.

• Don't let water running while you're brushing your teeth or
  shaving.

• Use clothes washer or automatic dish washer only when you have
  full loads. When using a dish washer, use a rubber spatula
  to remove food as much as you can to reduce water when pre-rinse.

• Don't use running tap water to thaw frozen foods. Defrost them
  in your refrigerator, or leave them out of freezer to thaw.

• Purchase a dishwasher or clothes washer that has the AAA rating.

• Insulate your water heater and hot water pipes so that you can
  reach the hot running water early when turning on the faucet.

• Install faucet aerators, low-flow shower heads, automatic
  shut-off nozzles.

• During rainy days, collect rainfall water from the roof of your
  home and store water in barrels or water tank; use this water
  for your garden and lawn.

• Use a broom instead of a water hose to sweep the driveway, steps,
  pavements, sidewalks, porches, or concrete areas around your home.

• Don't mow your lawn too short - set the grass level at minimum
  three inches in height because very short grass will suck in water
  substantially.

• Don't water your lawn during the windy days if you can to
  preserve moisture.

• Water your lawn late at night, or in the early morning hours. If
  you water your lawn during the sunny hours, the heat will
  cause more water to evaporate; besides, some cities and utility
  companies state that the sunlight may strike tiny water droplets
  on leaves which act like magnifying glasses that burn or scald
  grass. This statement is debatable, but you still loose water to
  heat in the hot, sunny days.

• Use native draught-resistant trees, plants, shrubs for your
  landscaping.

• Use mulch around trees, shrubs, flower beds, and plants to
  reduce evaporation.

• Check with your city or water utility service if they provide
  recycled water. You can use this water on plants, lawns, or
  gardens.

• Use a cover for your swimming pool to keep water from excess
  evaporation and to keep dirt and falling leaves out.

Article: Water saving tips
By John Nguyen and Associates