Help Yourself With Some Water Conservation Tips.

Living in Southern California we are exposed to droughts and constantly have to be tuned to water conservation measures.

Listed below are some tips to consider. In fact some of these tips will save you money.

Indoor Water Conservation Tips

General Items:

Never pour water down the drain when there may be another use for it. Perhaps you can use it to water indoor plants or garden.
Repair dripping faucets by replacing washers. (This is an immediate money saver). One drop per second wastes 2,700 gallons of water per year.
Check all plumbing for leaks. Have repair by a plumber. (Another money saver).
Retrofit all household faucets by installing aerators with flow restrictors.
Install an instant hot water heater on your sink.
Insulate your water pipes to reduce heat loss and prevent them from breaking.
Insall a water-softening system only when the minerals in the water would damage your pipes (or bathroom and kitchen fixtures).
Choose appliances that are more energy and water efficient.

Bathroom:

Consider purchasing a low-volume toilet that uses less than half the water of older models. (Note: In many area this is a requirement but if you are re-doing the bathroom this would be something to consider).
Install a toilet displacement device to cut down on the amount of water needed to flush the toilet. Place a one-gallon plastic jug of water into the tank to displace toilet flow. Be sure installation does not interfere with the operating parts.
Replace your shower-head with an ultra-low-flow version.
Place a bucket in the shower to catch excess water for watering plants.
Avoid flushing the toilet unnecessarily. Dispose of tissues, insects, and other similar waste in the trash rather than the toilet.
Avoid taking baths—take short showers—turn on water only to get wet and lather and then again to rinse off.
Avoid letting the water run while brushing your teeth, washing your face, or shaving.

Kitchen:

Operate automatic dishwashers only when they are fully loaded. Use the “light wash” feature, if available, to use less water.
Hand was dishes by filling two containers—one with soapy water and the other with rinse water containing a small amount of chlorine bleach.
Clean vegetables in a pan filled with water rather than running water from the tap.
Start a compost pile as an alternate method of disposing of food waste or simply dispose of food in the garbage. (The kitchen disposal uses a lot of water when operating).
Store drinking water in the refrigerator. Do not let the tap run while you are waiting for water to cool.
Avoid wasting water waiting for it to get hot. Capture it for other uses such as plant watering or heat it on the stove or in the microwave.
Avoid rinsing dishes before placing them in the dishwasher; just remove large particles of food.
Avoid using running water to thaw meat or other frozen foods. Defrost food overnight in the refrigerator or use the defrosting setting on the microwave.

Laundry:

Operate automatic clothes washers only when they are fully loaded or set the water level for the size of hour load.

Outside Water Conservation Tips

General Items:

Check your well pump (if you have one) periodically. If the automatic pump turns on and off while water is not being used, there is a leak which needs to be fixed.
Plant native and/or drought-tolerant grasses, ground covers, shrubs and trees. Once established, they will not need water as frequently and usually will survive dry spells.
Install irrigation devices that are the most water efficient for each use. Micro and drip irrigation and soak-er hoses are examples of efficient devices.
Use mulch to retain moisture in the soil. Mulch helps to control weeds that compete with landscape plants for water.
Avoid installing ornamental water features (fountains) unless they use recycle water.

Car Washing:

Use a shut-off nozzle that can be adjusted down to a fine spray on the hose.
Use a commercial car was that recycles water. If you wash your own car, park on the grass so that you will be watering it at the same time.

Lawn Care:

Avoid over watering your lawn.
Water in several short sessions rather than one long one, in order for your lawn to better absorb moisture.
Position sprinklers so water lands on the lawn and shrubs and not on paved areas.
Avoid sprinklers that have a fine mist. Mist evaporate before it reaches the lawn.
Raise the lawn mower blade to at least three inches or to its highest level. A higher cut encourages grass roots to grow deeper, shades the root system, and hold soil moisture.
Plant drought-resistant lawn seed.
Avoid over-fertilizing the lawn. Applying fertilizer increases the need for water. Apply fertilizers that contain slow-release, water-insoluble forms of nitrogen.
Use a broom or blower instead of a hose to clean leaves and other debris from your driveway or sidewalk.
Avoid leaving sprinklers or hoses unattended. A garden hose can pour out 600 gallons or more in only a few hours.

Pool:

Install a new water-saving pool filter. A single back flushing with a traditional filter uses 180-250 gallons of water.
Cover poos and spas to reduce evaporation of water.

Source: “Are You Ready”. FEMA # IS 22 / August, 2004