25 Water Conservation Tips!
2013 was the driest year on record in California, and 2014 is off to a pretty dry start as well. With that, Governor Jerry Brown has called for Californians to reduce water use by 20 percent voluntarily, and mandatory rationing could be ordered soon so that homes, businesses and farms don’t run dry over the summer. To aid with that reduction, we wanted to give out some tips that might help you in reduce water usage that you may not have occured to you.
If you want any more information or any help with some plumbing, heating, or air conditioning, please do not hesitate to contact us!
Kitchen
Dishwashers typically use less water than washing dishes by hand. Now, Energy Star dishwashers save even more water and energy.
Designate one glass for your drinking water each day, or refill a water bottle. This will cut down on the number of glasses to wash.
Use the garbage disposal sparingly. Instead, compost vegetable food waste and save gallons every time.
Wash your fruits and vegetables in a pan of water instead of running water from the tap.
Cook food in as little water as possible. This also helps it retain more nutrients.
Laundry Room
Washing dark clothes in cold water saves water and energy, and helps your clothes retain their color.
When shopping for a new washing machine, compare resource savings among Energy Star models. Some can save up to 20 gallons of water per load.
Have a plumber re-route your greywater to trees and plants rather than the sewer line. Check with your city and county for codes.
Bathroom
Shorten your shower by a minute or two and you’ll save up to 150 gallons per month.
Put food coloring in your toilet tank. If it seeps into the bowl without flushing, there’s a leak. Fix it and start saving gallons.
Turn off the water while you brush your teeth and save up to 4 gallons a minute. That’s up to 200 gallons a week for a family of four.
Consider buying a dual-flush toilet. It has two flush options: a half-flush for liquid waste and a full-flush for solid waste.
Take 5-minute showers instead of baths. A full bathtub requires up to 70 gallons of water.
One drip every second adds up to five gallons per day! Check your faucets and showerheads for leaks.
General Indoor
Learn how to use your water meter to check for leaks.
Run your washer and dishwasher only when they are full. You can save up to 1,000 gallons a month.
General Outdoor
Plant desert-friendly plants to limit the amount of water needed in your yard.
Adjust your lawn mower to the height of 1.5 to 2 inches. Taller grass shades roots and holds soil moisture better than short grass.
While fertilizers promote plant growth, they also increase water consumption. Apply the minimum amount of fertilizer needed.
Water your summer lawns once every three days and your winter lawn once every five days.
Set a kitchen timer when using the hose as a reminder to turn it off. A running hose can discharge up to 10 gallons per minute.
Minimize evaporation by watering during the early morning hours when temperatures are cooler and winds are lighter.
Water your plants deeply but less frequently to encourage deep root growth and drought tolerance.
Make sure your swimming pools, fountains and ponds are equipped with recirculating pumps.
Trickling or cascading fountains lose less water to evaporation than those that spray water into the air.
Set water softeners for a minimum number of refills to save both water and chemicals, plus energy, too.
Know where your master water shut-off valve is located. Were a pipe to burst, this could save gallons of water and prevent damage.
