You have probably heard of a number of these water saving strategies, but many will probably be new to you. Either way, don't just read them and say "That's a great idea." Pick a few and make them happen at your house.
By Dan Bossenbroek
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2833494
- Buy an energy star front loading washing machine.
- Install a water saving toilet.
- Skip taking a shower once in a while.
- Wear your clothes more than once between washes.
- Use a watering timer when watering your lawn and garden.
- Use a moisture meter to make sure you need to water.
- Install an instant hot water heater - hot water will be at the tap sooner.
- Insulate your hot water pipes.
- Install aerators on all of your faucets.
- Use a toilet tank water saver.
- Turn off the water when you brush your teeth.
- Skip shaving once in a while.
- Install a waterless urinal.
- Replace your thirsty lawn with indigenous, drought resistant plants.
- Capture the first gallon of cold water that comes out of your shower and use it to brush your teeth or water your plants.
- Install a composting toilet.
- Switch to low flow showerheads.
- Fix a leaky faucet or toilet.
- Buy a membership at the pool instead of your own pool.
- Put the scraps from your plates in to a worm bin instead of down the disposal.
- Stop rinsing off your dishes before you put them in your new dishwasher, they usually don't need this.
- Drop that tissue in the trash, not the toilet and save a flush.
- Clean up the dishes immediately after you use them so the leftovers don't dry on and stick like glue.
- Take shorter showers - keep them to five minutes or less.
- Keep a pitcher of water in the refrigerator instead of running the tap until the water gets cold.
- Fill up your dishwasher before you run it.
- Keep potted plants indoors instead of cur flowers.
- Install a drip irrigation system in your gardens. Connect it to rain barrels.
- Water your lawn and garden in the morning - less evaporation.
- Patronize a carwash that recycles the water it uses.
- Make sure that your sprinkler system (or sprinkler) is not watering the sidewalk or street.
- Install a dual flush toilet.
- Switch to an energy star dishwasher.
- Install covers on pools and spas to help prevent evaporation.
- Only do full loads of laundry.
- Plant a tree or more to shade your lawn and/or your garden.
- Replace water hungry plants for indigenous, drought resistant plants.
- Install a greywater (used water from showers and sinks) system and use the water to flush your toilets.
- Install a dual flush conversion kit.
- Use captured rainwater to fill water features.
- Raise your lawn mower setting. Longer grass retains water better.
- Don't run the water when you wash dishes, fill up one sink to wash and another to rinse.
- Avoid planting in the summer when watering requirements are higher,
- Think about saving water and you will,
- Wash produce in a bowl of water or a partially filled sink instead of continuously running the water.
- Turn the water off while you shave.
- Two uses per flush.
- When you take a shower turn off the water while you lather and wash.
- Switch to an electric shaver.
- Sweep your driveway, patio and deck instead of washing them off with the hose.
- Don't send the water from your downspouts out into the street but direct it towards your shrubs and gardens.
- Use a small plate instead of a large one whenever possible, to cut down on dishwasher loads.
- Collect the water from your dehumidifier and water your plants with it.
- Check to see that your toilet flappers are working properly.
- Two young kids in the same tub = ten gallons of water saved.
- Take a shower once a month, whether you need one or not.
- Get your kids involved and teach them to turn the water off when they are done washing their hands (for instance).
- Stop watering your lawn and garden before the soil becomes saturated.
- Use a rain gauge to make sure that you don't over water your lawn or garden.
- Buy a rain barrel and use the water to water your plants.
- Adjust your water softener so that it regenerates only as often as necessary.
- Use a spray gun nozzle when you wash your car.
- Weed your lawn and garden frequently to keep them from stealing water from your plants.
- Add compost or other organic matter to your garden soil so that it will retain water better.
- Fix or replace a leaky hose bib.
- Take the dirty mop water outside and water some plants with it.
- Avoid planting in containers as they tend to require more water.
- Use hand sanitizer instead of washing your hands sometimes.
- Set a sprinkler in the area of lawn that needs water the most when your kids want to cool off.
- Steam your vegetables when you cook and give the leftover water to a thirsty plant.
- Use one glass all day for your drinking water and it will take longer to fill up your dishwasher.
- Capture the water that you washed the produce with to water your houseplants.
- Let food thaw in the refrigerator instead of using running water.
- Let your lawn "go wild." You won't need to water it at all, but your neighbors might not be too happy with you.
- Pour the melted ice in your cup on a houseplant.
- Shave your head or cut your hair short - you will spend a lot less time washing your hair.
- Park your car in the grass before you wash it.
- Use collected rainwater to flush your toilets.
- Plug the tub before you turn on the water and just add more hot water as it fills up.
- Try to use only one plate or bowl per person for each meal, this will lead to fewer dishwasher loads.
- Check for leaks in your pool.
- Take tandem showers: as soon as one person is done the next hops in.
- Avoid using too much fertilizer. Fertilizer promotes plant growth and this will also increase your watering needs.
- Give your dog a bath in the water your kids just bathed in.
- Plant a rain garden and direct some of your downspouts there.
- Mulch your gardens with organic mulch, it will help keep the soil moist.
- Jump in the shower before the water gets warm and enjoy a refreshing start to your day.
- Partially fill the sink with water when rinsing the dishes instead of letting the water continuously run.
- Mulch your gardens with recycled rubber mulch, it will allow all of the water to reach your plants and also help to keep the soil from drying out.
- Serve food in the pots that you cooked the food in and it will take longer to fill the dishwasher.
- Use a soaker hose instead of a sprinkler.
- When you refill the pet's water bowl, give the old water to your plants.
- Grow your own vegetables, organically so all they need is a quick rinse.
- Water your lawn or garden with the water from your fish tank when it is time to clean it.
- Convert a portion of your lawn into a patio or deck - they never need to be watered.
- Don't allow water to run down slopes and hill when you water them. Water for a few short periods with a few minutes between each.
- Use organic fertilizers to promote slow healthy growth.
- Measure how much you water your lawn or garden with a rain gauge or empty can to prevent over watering.
- Water your lawn once every three weeks or less and let your lawn go dormant during the summer.
- Put a bucket in the shower with you and use the captured water to flush the toilet.
- Share water saving tips with your family and friends.
By Dan Bossenbroek
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2833494
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