Community and Environment

Conservation Matters

Activity	Gallons Typically Used	Gallons Used While Conserving	Minimum Gallons Saved
Shower	5 to 7 gallons a minute A 10-min shower uses 50 To 70 gallons	A low-flow showerhead uses 2.5 gallons a min. A 10-min shower uses 25 gallons	25
Tooth Brushing	Running tap uses 3 gallons a minute	Install a low-flow aerator. Wet brush, rinse briefly. Uses only 1/2 gallon	2.5 a minute
Tub Bath	Full tub uses at least 30 gallons	A tub that’s two- thirds full uses 20 gallons	10
Shaving	Running tap uses 3 gallons a minute	Rinsing razor in filled sink uses 1 gallon	2 a minute
Keep Cold Water in the Refrigerator	Running tap running uses 3 to 5 gallons a minute	Filling the cold water bottle saves 2 to 4 gallons a minute	2 to 4
Automatic Dishwasher	Full Cycle uses at least 20 gallons	Short cycle uses at least 7 gallons	13
Washing Hands	Tap running uses 2 gallons	A filled basin uses only 1 gallon	1
Dishwashing	Tap running uses 3 to 5 gallons a minute	Washing and rinsing in dishpan or filled sink uses only 5 gallons	10 to 20
Using Toilet As Waste Basket	One flush uses 5 to 7 gallons	Using waste basket saves 5 to 7 gallons	5 to 7
Leak	Can waste more than 20 gallons of water a day per leak	More than 20 gallons a day for each leak	20
Washing Machine	Full Cycle uses 60 gallons	Short cycle uses 27 gallons	33

100+ Ways to Save Water

FALL AND WINTER WATER SAVINGS TIPS
• Insulate hot water pipes so you don’t have to run as much water to get hot water to the faucet.
• Eliminate drafts in your home and insulate pipes with commercial wraps to avoid frozen and burst pipes.
• Use a commercial car wash that recycles water.
• Winterize outdoor spigots to avoid pipes from bursting or freezing.
• Locate and tag your master water shut-off valve to find it quickly in an emergency. This could save gallons of water and damage to your home if a pipe were to burst.

SPRING AND SUMMERTIME OUTDOOR USAGE TIPS
GARDENING TIPS
Approximately 50-70% of household water is used outdoors for watering lawns and gardens, so make the most of the water you use.
• Never water during the hottest times of the day. Early-morning watering avoids the peak-demand periods. Don’t water your lawn on windy days. After all, sidewalks and driveways don’t get thirsty.
• Be sure your automatic sprinklers don’t run when it’s raining or install a rain shut-off device on your automatic sprinklers to eliminate unnecessary watering.
• Adorn your garden with drought-tolerant plants that need little water. Decorate creatively with interesting objects that need no water at all, such as rocks, bricks, benches, gravel, and deck areas.
• Position sprinklers so that lawn and garden receive all the water.
• Set the mower one notch higher and let grass grow taller in hot, dry weather, as longer grass slows evaporation.
• Mulch your garden to lessen evaporation.
• Avoid planting turf in areas that are hard to water, such as steep inclines and isolated strips along sidewalks and driveways.
• Plant during the spring or fall when watering requirements are lower.
• Only water your lawn when needed. Walk across your lawn. If you leave footprints, it’s time to water.
• To get the most from your watering time, group your plants according to their water needs.
• Weed your lawn and garden regularly. Weeds compete with other plants for nutrients, light, and water.
• While fertilizers promote plant growth, they also increase water consumption. Apply the minimum amount of fertilizer needed.
• More plants die from over-watering than from under-watering. Be sure only to water plants when necessary.

OTHER OUTDOOR WATER SAVING TIPS
• When washing your car wet it thoroughly, then turn off the hose while you wash with soapy water from a bucket. Use the hose again for a final rinse. A trigger nozzle is best because it turns off automatically.
• Hosing down your driveway for 5 minutes wastes 25 gallons of water. Clean it with a broom or blower instead.
• Pools should be covered when not in use, as hundreds; even thousands of gallons of water can disappear through evaporation.
• Avoid installing ornamental water features unless the water is being recycled.
• Don’t use the sprinklers just to cool off or for play. Running through water from a hose or sprinkler wastes gallons of water.
• Make sure your swimming pools, fountains, and ponds have recirculating pumps.

MORE WISE WATER USE TIPS
There are many, many more ways to save water. Read on…
• Use the dirty water from your fish tank to water houseplants. It's rich in nitrogen and phosphorus — a good fertilizer.
• Check your water meter and bill to track your water usage.
• Wash your produce in the sink or a pan that is partially filled with water instead of running water from the tap.
• When shopping for new appliances, keep in mind that those with different cycles are more water and energy-efficient.
• Instead of using a hose or a sink to get rid of paints, motor oil, and pesticides, dispose of them properly by recycling or sending them to a hazardous waste site.
• Don’t use running water to thaw food.
• Teach your children to turn the faucets off tightly after each use.
• Soak your pots and pans instead of letting the water run while you scrape them clean.
• Use a commercial car wash that recycles water.
• Teach your family how to shut off your automatic watering systems so anyone who is home can turn sprinklers off when a storm is approaching.
• Set a kitchen timer when watering your lawn or garden with a hose.
• Make sure there are aerators on all of your faucets.
• Direct downspouts or gutters toward shrubs or trees.