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Conservation Tips
Remember, every drop
counts!!
When
we talk about our precious natural resources, water certainly tops the
list. Water keeps everything alive--plants, animals, and people. After
oxygen, water is our most important natural substance, yet we are using
more water than Mother Nature replaces. We must learn about the
importance of water and teach others, especially children, how to
practice water conservation. Future generations will thank us. In
addition, water conservation practices will help us save money as well
as resources.
Here
are some tips to help you conserve water.
Bathroom
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Keep
an eye out for leaky pipes and faucets. |
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Don't
keep the water running when brushing your teeth or shaving.
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Don’t
use your toilet as a wastebasket. |
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Install
super low-flow showerheads which deliver as little as 1.25 gallons
per
minute, as opposed to the standard 3.2 gallons. Also consider an
ultra-low
flush toilet which can cut your family’s total indoor
water use by as much as 20%. |
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Bathroom
facilities claim nearly 75% of the water used. If water-efficient
fixtures were used, a new household water budget of 21 gallons per
person per day or 2,100 gallons/month may be possible. This would
represent a savings of over 70% and could result in significant direct
and indirect savings both to the consumer and utility.
Kitchen
and Laundry
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Only
run your washing machines and dishwashers when they are full. |
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Select
the appropriate water level for the size of your load of laundry.
Most washers now offer preset water levels for small, medium and
large loads. |
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If
you have a two-sided sink, fill up one side with rinse water. Then,
wash dishes in the other side first before rinsing in the other
side. |
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Keep
a pitcher of water with drinking water in your refrigerator instead
of letting the tap run for cool water. |
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Outside
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Wash
your car using soap and water from a bucket. Use a hose with a
shut-off nozzle for the final rinse only.
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When
landscaping, use plants that require little water. You can decorate
creatively with interesting objects that need no water at all, such
as rocks, bricks, benches, gravel and deck areas. Learn about and
use the principles of Xeriscaping- plants
that are native to your
area and survive under low water conditions. |
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Clean your driveway with a broom or an air
blower. Hosing down your driveway wastes 25
gallons of water. |
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If you feel you want to sprinkle your lawn,
we advise you to check with your local
landscape expert. We understand that during
a prolonged dry spell, sprinkling may not be
beneficial to the health of your lawn in
that it allows the grass root system to come
closer to the ground surface instead of
going deeper or going dormant. |
For
more information, visit the American Water Works Association (AWWA).
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