Ways to save water...

[peanut]

Any ideas on how to cut water usage. We're coming up to a heavy water use time of year here...the growing season in a dry climate. Any ideas for reducing water consumption in and out of the house? Thanks.

Jean

[Buckeye5]

Try changing you showerheads in the showers, this will ssave water. Also, when my dishwasher was broken, I washed the dishes for 3 weeks by hand, and guess what my water bill went from $79.00 to 31.00.

[ama]

I keep a bucket in the shower! When we're running the water waiting for it to heat up to shower in -- the bucket fills and we use this to flush the toilet, for watering plants etc. My water bill is the lowest out of all my friends.

You can have rain barrels as well -- thats a project from last year I just didn't get too yet.

[sunshine]

Save the bath water and dish water for water plants, or flushing the toliet.

Take "navy" showers-- get in, get wet- turn off the water while you soap up from head to toe, then turn the water on to rinse off.

Mulch heavily outdoors to retain moisture.

Use drip hoses, rather than open watering--- it puts the water right at the base of the plants, and less is loss to evaporation and such.

[ama]

ditto on the drip hoses -- those will save you a small fortune!

[Buckeye5]

What are the rain barrels?

[ama]

you can do a search for rain barrels. basically these barrels collect rain run-off from the gutter spouts of your house. They can get pretty darn fancy with spigots and all but I saw that a clean garbage pail with a lid to keep mosquitos out and some type of connector for the rain to come in the top of the pail.

[UPSyours2]

My waterbill is the least expensive utility bill sometimes it is $16.28, maybe $30 for the year

We use an average amount of water & drink alot of tap water too since there's nothing wrong w/it & tastes just like Poland Spring!

@ Ma's house the bill was crazy $60 for the month nobody lived there there was no drips on any of the faucets either!

To also save on filling up the cesspool @ Ma's house after washing the dishes in the kitchen we'd recycle that water & use it for the garden, bushes, etc. They can always use a drink & the dish detergent in it helped w/the bugs etc. My Dad hooked up a hose mostly in the warmer weather to drain the washing machine into a big 50 gallon drum container outdoors to use for gardening water also.


http://www.wateruseitwisely.com/100ways/ne.shtml

#1. There are a number of ways to save water, and they all start with you.


#2. 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.


#3. Evaporative coolers require a seasonal maintenance checkup. For more efficient cooling, check your evaporative cooler annually.


#4. Check your sprinkler system frequently and adjust sprinklers so only your lawn is watered and not the house, sidewalk, or street.


#5. Run your washing machine and dishwasher only when they are full and you could save 1000 gallons a month.


#6. Avoid planting turf in areas that are hard to water such as steep inclines and isolated strips along sidewalks and driveways.


#7. Install covers on pools and spas and check for leaks around your pumps.


#8. Use the garbage disposal sparingly. Compost instead and save gallons every time.


#9. Plant during the spring or fall when the watering requirements are lower.


#10. Keep a pitcher of water in the refrigerator instead of running the tap for cold drinks, so that every drop goes down you not the drain.


#11. Check your water meter and bill to track your water usage.


#12. Minimize evaporation by watering during the early morning hours, when temperatures are cooler and winds are lighter.


#13. Wash your produce in the sink or a pan that is partially filled with water instead of running water from the tap.


#14. Use a layer of organic mulch around plants to reduce evaporation and save hundreds of gallons of water a year.


#15. Use a broom instead of a hose to clean your driveway or sidewalk and save 80 gallons of water every time.


#16. If your shower can fill a one-gallon bucket in less than 20 seconds, then replace it with a water-efficient showerhead.


#17. Collect the water you use for rinsing produce and reuse it to water houseplants.


#18. Divide your watering cycle into shorter periods to reduce runoff and allow for better absorption every time you water.


#19. We're more likely to notice leaky faucets indoors, but don't forget to check outdoor faucets, pipes, and hoses for leaks.


#20. Periodically check your pool for leaks if you have an automatic refilling device.


#21. Only water your lawn when needed. You can tell this by simply walking across your lawn. If you leave footprints, it's time to water.


#22. When you shop for a new appliance, consider one offering cycle and load size adjustments. They are more water and energy-efficient than older appliances.


#23. Time your shower to keep it under 5 minutes. You'll save up to 1000 gallons a month.


#24. Install low-volume toilets.


#25. Adjust your lawn mower to a higher setting. Longer grass shades root systems and holds soil moisture better than a closely clipped lawn.


#26. When you clean your fish tank, use the water you've drained on your plants. The water is rich in nitrogen and phosphorus, providing you with a free and effective fertilizer.


#27. Use the sprinkler for larger areas of grass. Water small patches by hand to avoid waste.


#28. Put food coloring in your toilet tank. If it seeps into the toilet bowl, you have a leak. It's easy to fix, and you can save more than 600 gallons a month.


#29. Plug the bathtub before turning the water on, then adjust the temperature as the tub fills up.


#30. Use porous materials for walkways and patios to keep water in your yard and prevent wasteful runoff.


#31. Direct downspouts and other runoff towards shrubs and trees, or collect and use for your garden.


#32. Designate one glass for your drinking water each day. This will cut down on the number of times you run your dishwasher.


#33. Water your summer lawns once every three days and your winter lawn once every five days.


#34. Install a rain shut-off device on your automatic sprinklers to eliminate unnecessary watering.


#35. Don't use running water to thaw food.


#36. Choose a water-efficient drip irrigation system for trees, shrubs and flowers. Watering at the roots is very effective, be careful not to over water.


#37. Grab a wrench and fix that leaky faucet. It's simple, inexpensive, and can save 140 gallons a week.


#38. Reduce the amount of grass in your yard by planting shrubs, and ground cover with rock and granite mulching.


#39. When doing laundry, match the water level to the size of the load.


#40. Teach your children to turn the faucets off tightly after each use.


#41. Remember to check your sprinkler system valves periodically for leaks and keep the heads in good shape.


#42. Before you lather up, install a low-flow showerhead. They're inexpensive, easy to install, and can save your family more than 500 gallons a week.


#43. Soak your pots and pans instead of letting the water run while you scrape them clean.


#44. Don't water your lawn on windy days. After all, sidewalks and driveways don't need water.


#45. Water your plants deeply but less frequently to create healthier and stronger landscapes.


#46. Make sure you know where your master water shut-off valve is located. This could save gallons of water and damage to your home if a pipe were to burst.


#47. When watering grass on steep slopes, use a soaker hose to prevent wasteful runoff.


#48. Group plants with the same watering needs together to get the most out of your watering time.


#49. Remember to weed your lawn and garden regularly. Weeds compete with other plants for nutrients, light, and water.


#50. While fertilizers promote plant growth, they also increase water consumption. Apply the minimum amount of fertilizer needed.


#51. Avoid installing ornamental water features and fountains that spray water into the air. Trickling or cascading fountains lose less water to evaporation.


#52. Use a commercial car wash that recycles water.


#53. Don't buy recreational water toys that require a constant flow of water.


#54. Turn off the water while you brush your teeth and save 4 gallons a minute. That's 200 gallons a week for a family of four.


#55. Buy a rain gauge to track how much rain or irrigation your yard receives. Check with your local water agency to see how much rain is needed to skip an irrigation cycle.


#56. Encourage your school system and local government to help develop and promote a water conservation ethic among children and adults.


#57. Teach your family how to shut off your automatic watering systems. Turn sprinklers off if the system is malfunctioning or when a storm is approaching.


#58. Set a kitchen timer when watering your lawn or garden with a hose.


#59. Make sure your toilet flapper doesn't stick open after flushing.


#60. Make sure there are aerators on all of your faucets.


#61. 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 550 gallons each year.


#62 Install an instant water heater on your kitchen sink so you don't have to let the water run while it heats up. This will also reduce heating costs for your household.


#63. Use a grease pencil to mark the water level of your pool at the skimmer. Check the mark 24 hours later. Your pool should lose no more than 1/4 inch each day.


#64. Cut back on rinsing if your dishwasher is new. Newer models clean more thoroughly than older ones.


#65. Use a screwdriver as a soil probe to test soil moisture. If it goes in easily, don't water. Proper lawn watering can save thousands of gallons of water annually.


#66. Avoid overseeding your lawn with winter grass. Once established, ryegrass needs water every three to five days, whereas dormant Bermuda grass needs water only once a month.


#67. Do one thing each day that will save water. Even if savings are small, every drop counts.


#68. When the kids want to cool off, use the sprinkler in an area where your lawn needs it the most.


#69. Make sure your swimming pools, fountains, and ponds are equipped with recirculating pumps.


#70. Bathe your young children together.


#71. Landscape with Xeriscape trees, plants and groundcovers. Call your local conservation office for more information about these water thrifty plants.


#72. Winterize outdoor spigots when temps dip to 20 degrees F to prevent pipes from bursting or freezing.


#73. Insulate hot water pipes so you don't have to run as much water to get hot water to the faucet.


#74. Wash your car on the grass. This will water your lawn at the same time.



#75. Drop that tissue in the trash instead of flushing it and save gallons every time.


#76. If you have an evaporative cooler, direct the water drain to a flowerbed, tree, or your lawn.


#77. Make suggestions to your employer to save water (and dollars) at work.


#78. Support projects that use reclaimed wastewater for irrigation and other uses.


#79. Use a hose nozzle and turn off the water while you wash your car and save more than 100 gallons.


#80. Encourage your friends and neighbors to be part of a water-conscious community.


#81. If your toilet was installed prior to 1980, place a toilet dam or bottle filled with water in your toilet tank to cut down on the amount of water used for each flush. Be sure these devices do not interfere with operating parts.


#82. Install water softening systems only when necessary. Save water and salt by running the minimum number of regenerations necessary to maintain water softness.


#83. Wash clothes only when you have a full load and save up to 600 gallons each month.


#84. Leave lower branches on trees and shrubs and allow leaf litter to accumulate on top of the soil. This keeps the soil cooler and reduces evaporation.


#85. Pick-up the phone and report significant water losses from broken pipes, open hydrants and errant sprinklers to the property owner or your water management district.


#86. Bermuda grasses are dormant (brown) in the winter and will only require water once every three to four weeks or less if it rains.


#87. Start a compost pile. Using compost when you plant adds water-holding organic matter to the soil.


#88. Use sprinklers that throw big drops of water close to the ground. Smaller drops of water and mist often evaporate before they hit the ground.


#89. Listen for dripping faucets and toilets that flush themselves. Fixing a leak can save 500 gallons each month.


#90. More plants die from over-watering than from under-watering. Be sure only to water plants when necessary.


#91. Cook food in as little water as possible. This will also retain more of the nutrients.


#92. Adjust your watering schedule to the season. Water your summer lawn every third day and your winter lawn every fifth day.


#93. Turn the water off while you shampoo and condition your hair and you can save more than 50 gallons a week.


#94. Bathe your pets outdoors in an area in need of water.


#95. Choose new water-saving appliances, like washing machines that save up to 20 gallons per load.


#96. Water only as rapidly as the soil can absorb the water.


#97. Aerate your lawn. Punch holes in your lawn about six inches apart so water will reach the roots rather than run off the surface.


#98. Select the proper size pans for cooking. Large pans require more cooking water than may be necessary.


#99. Place an empty tuna can on your lawn to catch and measure the water output of your sprinklers. For lawn watering advice, contact your local conservation office.


#100. Turn off the water while you shave and you can save more than 100 gallons a week.


#101. When you give your pet fresh water, don't throw the old water down the drain. Use it to water your trees or shrubs.


#102. If you accidentally drop ice cubes when filling your glass from the freezer, don't throw them in the sink. Drop them in a house plant instead.


#103. To save water and time, consider washing your face or brushing your teeth while in the shower.


#104. While staying in a hotel or even at home, consider reusing your towels.


#105. When backwashing your pool, consider using the water on your
landscaping.



#106. For hanging baskets, planters and pots, place ice cubes under the moss or dirt to give your plants a cool drink of water and help eliminate water overflow.



#107. Throw trimmings and peelings from fruits and vegetables into your yard compost to prevent from using the garbage disposal.



#108. When you have ice left in your cup from a take-out restaurant, don't throw it in the trash, dump it on a plant.



#109. Have your plumber re-route your gray water to trees and gardens rather than letting it run into the sewer line. Check with your city codes, and if it isn't allowed in your area, start a movement to get that changed.



#110. Keep a bucket in the shower to catch water as it warms up or runs. Use this water to flush toilets or water plants.



#111. When you are washing your hands, don't let the water run while you lather.

Check out the Family Water Audit to see how well you conserve water and what you can do better.


http://www.wateruseitwisely.com/index.shtml







DH parent's also pay alot for there's sometimes between $40 - $80 depends on gardening season!

http://www.h2ouse.org/

Some Water Saving Tips!

Water Use Calculator

http://www.waterbudgets.com/ConserVi.../DataInput.htm

http://www.h2ouse.org/action/top5.cfm

TOP 5 ACTIONS

With so many ways to save water, here are the highlights for 5 key actions to help you capture the water savings around your home. Click on the "Learn more" to find out additional information for each action. Remember, every drop counts!

1. Stop Those Leaks!
Check your indoor water using appliances and devices for leaks. Check out Leak Detection and Repair.

Many silent leaks allow water and your money to go down the drain. To help detect unseen leaks go to Read Your Meter. Studies have shown homes can waste more than 10% due leaking, which costs both you and the environment.

Another large water waster can be leaks in your irrigation system. Fix irrigation system leaks quickly and check for water in the gutters or mud puddles. Inspect your sprinklers and drip sprayers regularly for leaks during the daytime since the optimal time to water is in the nighttime hours when you cannot observe leaks. If you have an older irrigation system, over 50% and even more than 75% of the water can be lost to leaks. Learn more about irrigation systems...

2. Replace your old Toilet, the largest water user inside your home.
If your home was built before 1992 and the toilet has never been replaced, then it is very likely that you do not have a water efficient 1.6 gallon per flush toilet. You can check the date stamp inside the toilet by lifting the lid and looking at the back of the toilet at the manufacturer's imprint of the make, model and date of manufacture. Learn more about toilets...

3. Replace your Clothes Washer, the second largest water user in your home.
Energy Star™ rated washers that also have a Water Factor at or lower than 9.5, use 35-50% less water and 50% less energy per load. This saves you money on both your water and energy bills. There is a current qualifying products listing of water efficient clothes washer models maintained by the Consortium for Energy Efficiency. Learn more about clothes washers...

4. Plant the Right Plants with Proper Landscape Design & Irrigation
Whether you are putting in a new landscape or slowing changing the current landscaping at your home, select plants that are appropriate for your local climate conditions. Having yard with 100% lawn turf area in a dry desert climate uses significant amounts of water. Also consider the trend towards Xeriscape™ and a more natural landscape or wildscape. Learn more about landscaping...

5. Water Only What Your Plants Need
Most water is wasted in your garden by watering when you plants do not need the water or by not maintaining the irrigation system. Be attentive if you are manual watering by setting your oven timer or some other reminder to move the water promptly. Make sure your irrigation controller has a rain shutoff device and that it's appropriately scheduled. Most water is wasted in months prior to or just after the rainy season when intermittent rains occur. You can also consider installing a weather adjusting ET irrigation controller (see description in glossary) that automatically saves water by not watering when the plants don't need the water, check with your local water provider to inquire if ET controllers work in your area. Learn more about using the features that you have in your garage for efficient watering like your hose and irrigation controller timer...


Be sure to call your local water provider for more information and potential incentives.

On this web site are many book and web site resources available to help research choices for water saving home appliances and landscaping choices. Check out the Library, Bookstore and Links web pages under Resources for more information.

Enjoy looking through the rest of the water saver web site. For all the ways to save, start with the whole home tour. GO NOW!
http://www.h2ouse.org/tour/index.cfm

[peanut]

Thanks! There's lots there we could deal with! I'm printing this off to show dh.

Jean

[peanut]

Thanks to all this information, I've instituted a few changes here. We have a dishpan for rinsing dishes now. The leftover water goes on the flower beds. The sink definitely gets plugged before any water is drawn from the tap.

I've started tracking water usage on a daily basis. I've determined that showers are pretty low use here. It's the washing machine that's eating up all the water. One cubic metre per load! We do a total of 7-9 loads a week max, including dd#2's laundry. I'm looking at front loading washing machines...

Jean

[banana]

Thanks for all the tips!