With summer approaching, it is important to remain mindful of our fresh water resources. Regardless if we have well or town water, it is important to use some common sense and to conserve where possible. Below are some simple ways you can help alleviate the strain on our freshwater systems:
Shower
Low-flow shower heads reduce water flow from an average of five gallons per minute down to about two gallons per minute. This small change can save over 5,400 gallons of water a year! You can find low-flow shower heads and sink spigots at your local hardware store. Or contact your water utility company to find out if they distribute these devices for free. Source: The Nature Conservancy
Yard Work
Water your lawn or garden in the morning, when water evaporates less quickly. Be sure to adjust sprinklers to avoid wasting water on sidewalks or other paved areas. Additionally, landscaping with native plants reduces your yard’s water needs, with the added benefit of attracting native wildlife such as birds and butterflies. Source: The Nature Conservancy
The Kitchen Sink
Start a compost pile as an alternative to in-sink garbage disposal systems, which require a lot of water to run correctly. This also gives you a natural method for improving your garden’s soil. Since a dishwasher uses the same amount of water regardless of how full it is, make sure it is loaded fully before running. Also, if you are in the market for a new dishwasher, consider water and energy saving models. Source: Earth 911
The Toilet
Traditional toilets use between five and seven gallons of water per flush. Put a jar or bottle filled with water in your toilet tank to decrease this amount. You can add food coloring or dye to the toilet tank to test for wasteful leaks. If you find that colored water has made it into the bowl without flushing, you have a leak and should fix it immediately. Shopping for a new toilet? Look into low-flow models. Source: Mono Lake Committee
At the Carwash
Good news for people who dread washing the car on a Saturday afternoon: Going to the car wash is actually better for the environment than hand-washing your hot rod Chevy.
U.S. regulations require commercial car washes to drain their wastewater properly — which means into the sewer system, where it can get treated before being discharged. On the other hand, washing in your driveway or on the street means all that soapy, toxin-filled water goes into storm drains and straight out to rivers, creeks and other waterways. ( So if you do wash your own car it is important to use a non toxic product. Washing soda in warm water works well.)
Other perks: Commercial car washes often recycle and reuse rinse water, helping them to save up to 100 gallons per wash. And many use nozzles and pumps that minimize water
