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Drought Busting Tips Help You Conserve Water This Summer
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Many areas in the Carolinas are still in a state of extreme drought, and with the summer season in front of us, quite a few folks are trying to conserve. Residents are curtailing their non-essential uses of water, such as watering lawns and washing houses, sidewalks, and automobiles. The following tips can help you save water during the summer season, and year-round.
In the Bathroom
- Replace older plumbing fixtures with newer, low-flow models or install water-saving devices, such as faucet aerators.
- Place a water-filled plastic bottle in your toilet tank to reduce the amount of water needed to fill it.
- Put food coloring in your toilet tank and watch if the coloring shows up in the toilet bowl before flushing. If so, replace the leaking flap.
- Check tub and sink faucets for drips and replace washers and “O-rings” as necessary.
- Turn off all water to your home and look at the readout dial on your water meter. If the dial moves, you have a leak.
- Check pipes coming into the house for leaks and have them repaired immediately. Don’t forget to check outside faucets and garden hoses.
- Turn off water while lathering, shampooing, shaving and brushing your teeth.
- Plug the bathtub before turning the water on, and then adjust the temperature as the tub fills up.
- Take showers instead of baths.
- Time your shower to keep it as short as possible.
- Collect water from the bath/shower while waiting for it to heat up and use it to water plants.
In the Kitchen
- Run washing machines and dishwashers only with full loads to maximize efficiency.
- Avoid using sink disposals for food scraps. Composting food scraps is much more economical than using a garbage disposal.
- Don’t rinse dishes before putting them in the dishwasher, or use a pan of water in the sink and re-use the water as long as possible.
- When washing dishes by hand, fill one sink with wash water and the other with rinse water.
- When washing dishes by hand, use the least amount of detergent possible. This minimizes rinse water needed.
- Keep a pitcher of water in the refrigerator instead of running the tap for cold drinks.
- Don't defrost frozen foods with running water. Either plan ahead by placing frozen items in the refrigerator overnight or defrost them in the microwave.
- Don't let the faucet run while you clean vegetables. Rinse them in a filled sink or pan.
Reuse and Recycle
- Catch rainwater from your gutters with a rain barrel and use it to water your flowers and vegetables.
- Collect natural water with a rain barrel for car washing.
Outdoors
- Take time to locate your main water shut-off valve and the water meter in your yard.
- Use dry cleanup methods to reduce both indoor and outdoor water use.
- Use a broom instead of a hose to clean your driveway or sidewalk.
- Set lawn mower blades one notch higher. Longer grass means less evaporation.
- Put a layer of mulch around trees and plants. Chunks of bark, peat moss or gravel slow down evaporation.
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