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Residential Conservation Tips

Top 10 Tips

1.  Reduce irrigation by one day a week.


2.  Find and repair leaks now.


3.  Inspect and tune-up your sprinkler system monthly.


4.  Water between midnight and 6:00 a.m. to reduce water loss from evaporation and wind.


5.  Use a broom, not a hose, to clean your driveway, deck or patio.


6.  Use a bucket and a hose with an automatic shut-off nozzle when you wash the car, or take your car to a carwash that recycles.


7.  Cover pools and hot-tubs to reduce evaporation.


8.  Use front-load washing machines.


9.  Run the dishwasher and clothes washer with full loads only.


10. Prevent and report water waste.

 

Indoor Tips

  • Purchase a front-load washing machine that uses 40% less water. Check with your local water provider for rebates.
  • Don’t let water run while shaving, brushing teeth or rinsing dishes.
  • When you are washing your hands, don't let the water run while you lather.
  • Listen for dripping faucets and toilets that flush themselves. Fixing a leak can save 500 gallons each month.

Outdoor Tips

  • Water your lawn and garden in 2 short cycles rather than one long one. Watering to a depth of 4 – 6” will encourage deeper healthier roots and allow the plants to go without water for longer periods of time.
  • Adjust your sprinkler heads to prevent water draining off your lawn and down the gutter. Reduce sprinkler run-time, remember to water at night, and don’t be a gutter flooder.
  • Your water meter is an important conservation tool. It not only measures the amount of water you use, but can also tell you if there is a leak in your plumbing.
  • A typical garden hose, without a trigger hose nozzle, will waste approximately 8 – 12 gallons per minute.