- There are a number of ways to save water, and they all start with you.
- When washing dishes by hand, don’t let the water run while rinsing. Fill one sink with wash water and the other with rinse water.
- Some refrigerators, air conditioners and ice-makers are cooled with wasted flows of water. Consider upgrading with air-cooled appliances for significant water savings.
- Adjust sprinklers so only your lawn is watered and not the house, sidewalk, or street.
- Run your clothes washer and dishwasher only when they are full. You can save up to 4000 litres a month.
- Choose shrubs and groundcovers instead of turf for hard-to-water areas such as steep slopes and isolated strips.
- Install covers on pools and spas and check for leaks around your pumps.
- Use the garbage disposal sparingly. Compost vegetable food waste instead and save litres every time.
- Plant in the fall when conditions are cooler and rainfall is more plentiful.
- For cold drinks keep a pitcher of water in the refrigerator instead of running the tap. This way, every drop goes down you and not the drain.
- Monitor your water bill for unusually high use. Your bill and water meter are tools that can help you discover leaks.
- Water your lawn and garden in the morning or evening when temperatures are cooler to minimize evaporation.
- Wash your fruits and vegetables in a pan of water instead of running water from the tap.
- Spreading a layer of organic mulch around plants retains moisture and saves water, time and money.
- Use a broom instead of a hose to clean your driveway and sidewalk and save water every time.
- If your shower fills a 4 litre bucket in less than 25 seconds, replace the showerhead with a water-efficient model.
- Collect the water you use for rinsing fruits and vegetables, then reuse it to water houseplants.
- If water runs off your lawn easily, split your watering time into shorter periods to allow for better absorption.
- We’re more likely to notice leaks indoors, but don’t forget to check outdoor faucets, sprinklers and hoses for leaks.
- If you have an automatic refilling device, check your pool periodically for leaks.
- Check the root zone of your lawn or garden for moisture before watering using a spade or trowel. If it’s still moist two inches under the soil surface, you still have enough water.
- When buying new appliances, consider those that offer cycle and load size adjustments. They’re more water and energy efficient.
- Shorten your shower by a minute or two and you’ll save up to 550 lites per month.
- Upgrade older toilets with water efficient models.
- Adjust your lawn mower to a higher setting. A taller lawn shades roots and holds soil moisture better than if it is closely clipped.
- When cleaning out fish tanks, give the nutrient-rich water to your plants.
- Use sprinklers for large areas of grass. Water small patches by hand to avoid waste.
- Put food coloring in your toilet tank. If it seeps into the toilet bowl without flushing, you have a leak. Fixing it can save up to 4000 litres a month.
- When running a bath, plug the tub before turning the water on, then adjust the temperature as the tub fills up.
- Walkways and patios provide space that doesn’t ever need to be watered. These useful ‘rooms’ can also add value to your property.
- Collect water from your roof to water your garden.
- 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.
- Rather than following a set watering schedule, check for soil moisture two to three inches below the surface before watering.
- Install a rain sensor on your irrigation controller so your system won’t run when it’s raining.
- Don’t use running water to thaw food. Defrost food in the refrigerator for water efficiency and food safety.
- Use drip irrigation for shrubs and trees to apply water directly to the roots where it’s needed.
- Grab a wrench and fix that leaky faucet. It’s simple, inexpensive, and you can save 500 litres a week.
- Reduce the amount of lawn in your yard by planting shrubs and ground covers to your site and region.
- When doing laundry, match the water level to the size of the load.
- Teach your children to turn off faucets tightly after each use.
- Remember to check your sprinkler system valves for leaks and keep the sprinkler heads in good shape.
- Use a water-efficient showerhead. They’re inexpensive, easy to install, and can save you up to 3000 litres/month.
- Soak pots and pans instead of letting the water run while you scrape them clean.
- Don’t water your lawn on windy days when most of the water blows away or evaporates.
- Water your plants deeply but less frequently to encourage deep root growth and drought tolerance.
- Know where your master shut-off valve is located. This could save water and prevent damage to your home.
- To decrease water from being wasted on sloping lawns, apply water for 5 minutes and then repeat 2 to 3 times.
- Group plants with the same watering needs together to avoid overwatering some while underwatering others.
- Use a organic material on the surface of your planting beds to minimize weed growth that competes for water.
- Use a minimum amount of organic or slow release fertilizer to promote a healthy and drought tolerant landscape.
- Trickling or cascading fountains lose less water to evaporation than those spraying water into the air.
- Use a commercial car wash that recycles water.
- Avoid recreational water toys that require a constant flow of water.
- Turn off the water while brushing your teeth and save 100 litres a month.
- Use a rain gauge, or empty tuna can, to track rainfall on your lawn. Then reduce your watering accordingly.
- Encourage your school system and local government to develop and promote water conservation among children and adults.
- Learn how to shut off your automatic watering system in case it malfunctions or you get an unexpected rain.
- Set a kitchen timer when watering your lawn or garden to remind you when to stop. A running hose can discharge up to 40 litres a minute.
- If your toilet flapper doesn’t close after flushing, replace it.
- Make sure there are water-saving aerators on all of your faucets.
- Next time you add or replace a flower or shrub, choose a low water use plant for year-round landscape color and save up to 2100 litres each year.
- Install an instant water heater near your kitchen sink so you don’t have to run the water while it heats up. This also reduces energy costs.
- Use a grease pencil to mark the water level of your pool at the skimmer. Check the mark 24 hours later to see if you have a leak.
- If your dishwasher is new, cut back on rinsing. Newer models clean more thoroughly than older ones.
- Use a trowel, shovel, or soil probe to examine soil moisture depth. If the top two to three inches of soil are dry it’s time to water.
- If installing a lawn, select a turf mix or blend that matches your climate and site conditions.
- When you save water, you save money on your utility bills too. Saving water is easy for everyone to do.
- When the kids want to cool off, use the sprinkler in an area where your lawn needs it the most.
- Make sure your swimming pools, fountains, and ponds are equipped with recirculating pumps.
- Bathe your young children together.
- Consult with your local nursery for information on plant selection and placement for optimum outdoor water savings.
- Winterize outdoor spigots when temperatures dip below freezing to prevent pipes from leaking or bursting.
- Insulate hot water pipes for more immediate hot water at the faucet and for energy savings.
- Wash your car on the lawn, and you’ll water your lawn at the same time.
- Drop your tissue in the trash instead of flushing it and save water every time.
- Direct water from rain gutters toward water-loving plants in the landscape for automatic water savings.
- Make suggestions to your employer about ways to save water and money at work.
- Support projects that use reclaimed wastewater for irrigation and industrial uses.
- Use a hose nozzle or turn off the water while you wash your car. You’ll save up to 400 litres every time.
- Share water conservation tips with friends and neighbors.
- If your toilet was installed before 1992, reduce the amount of water used for each flush by inserting a displacement device in the tank.
- Setting cooling systems and water softeners for a minimum number of refills saves both water and chemicals, plus more on utility bills.
- Washing dark clothes in cold water saves both on water and energy while it helps your clothes to keep their colors.
- Leave lower branches on trees and shrubs and allow leaf litter to accumulate on the soil. This keeps the soil cooler and reduces evaporation.
- Report broken pipes, open hydrants and errant sprinklers to the property owner or your water provider.
- Let your lawn go dormant during the summer. Dormant grass only needs to be watered every three weeks or less if it rains.
- Plant with finished compost to add water-holding and nutrient-rich organic matter to the soil.
- Use sprinklers that deliver big drops of water close to the ground. Smaller water drops and mist often evaporate before they hit the ground.
- Listen for dripping faucets and running toilets. Fixing a leak can save 1100 litres a month or more.
- Water only when necessary. More plants die from over-watering than from under-watering.
- One more way to get eight glasses of water a day is to re-use the water left over from cooked or steamed foods to start a scrumptious and nutritious soup.
- Adjust your watering schedule each month to match seasonal weather conditions and landscape requirements.
- Turn off the water while you wash your hair to save up to 550 litres a month.
- Wash your pets outdoors in an area of your lawn that needs water.
- When shopping for a new clothes washer, compare resource savings among Energy Star models. Some of these can save up to 80 litres per load, and energy too.
- Apply water only as fast as the soil can absorb it.
- Aerate your lawn at least once a year so water can reach the roots rather than run off the surface.
- When washing dishes by hand, fill the sink basin or a large container and rinse when all of the dishes have been soaped and scrubbed.
- Turn off the water while you shave and save up to 1200 litres a month.
- When you give your pet fresh water, don’t throw the old water down the drain. Use it to water your trees or shrubs.
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