Rural Water - Quarter 1, 2009 - (Page 11)

saving washing machines use 35 to 50 percent less water and half as much energy. Some water use is behavioral in nature: showers longer than ﬁ ve minutes, watering plants in the heat of the day, running the dishwasher when it’s only half full, and leaving the water running while shaving or brushing teeth are all examples. Q: HOW CAN HOMEOWNERS SAVE WATER? A. Individuals can save water in a variety of ways: Inside the home • Keep a pitcher of water in the refrigerator rather than running the tap until the water gets cold. • Replace five-gallon-per-flush toilets with standard 1.9 gallon-per-flush models. This can save an average of 18,600 gallons of water per year and about $90. • Fixing that leaky toilet can save as much as 500 gallons a day, or as much as $1,000 per year. Check toilets for leaks by putting a few drops of food coloring in your toilet tank. If the color begins to appear in the bowl without flushing, you have a leak. • Repair dripping faucets by replacing washers. One drop per second can add up to 2,700 gallons per year. • Don’t let the water run while brushing teeth or shaving. On average, you will save more than five gallons of water. • Take shorter showers. A quick shower rather than a bath can save an average of 20 gallons of water. EPA recommends taking three- to fiveminute showers. • Use both sides of the sink when washing dishes: one side to wash and the other to rinse. Don’t wash dishes with the water running. • Garbage disposals use approximately 11.5 gallons of water per day. Try composting organic wastes instead. • Use the dishwasher and washer only when you have full loads. • Install flow restrictors in faucets. • When cleaning a fish tank, use the drained water on plants. The water is rich in nitrogen and phosphorus, a healthy treat for plants. • Never pour water down the drain when there may be another use for it such as watering a plant or cleaning around your home. Outside the home • Use mulch around trees to slow evaporation. • Install covers on pools and spas and check for leaks around pumps. • Water lawns and plants early in the morning or during the evening when there’s less evaporation. • Water your lawn only when it needs it and adjust sprinklers so you’re not watering the sidewalk or street. Also, aerated lawns absorb water better. • Direct downspouts and other runoff toward shrubs, trees and gardens. • Plant drought-resistant trees and plants. • Use a broom instead of a hose to clean sidewalks and driveways. • Encourage your school system and local government to develop and promote a water conservation program among children and adults. By following these simple suggestions, homeowners can conserve hundreds of gallons of water, saving money for themselves and their communities, helping water Water your lawn only when it needs it and adjust sprinklers so you’re not watering the sidewalk or street. Don’t let the water run while brushing teeth or shaving. On average, you will save more than five gallons of water. First Quarter 2009 • 11

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Rural Water - Quarter 1, 2009

Rural Water - Quarter 1, 2009 Contents From the President Question & Answer: Water Conservation in the Home Avoiding the Humpty Dumpty Approach to Data Backup From the CEO What the Future Holds Asset Management for Small Communities Understanding Your Surface Water Source: The Rivers Hydraulic Models Expeditionary Water Packaging System Graces Delta The Rural Water Rally in April Training in Hawaii Regulatory Update Rural Water Releases Report on Water Infrastructure Projects and Economic Stimulus Legislation Throwing My Loop Advertisers.com Index to Advertisers

Rural Water - Quarter 1, 2009

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