WATER CONSERVATION - putting a precious resource to good use
Saving water saves you money. It also protects water quality. Conserving water inside your home reduces the strain on septic fields and waste water treatment plants. Keeping water for use on your home site reduces polluted runoff.

 »INSIDE THE HOME
 »OUTSIDE THE HOUSE

INSIDE THE HOME
Don’t flush money down the drain. Test your toilet for leaks by placing a few drops of food coloring in the tank. Wait 15 minutes. If the color appears in the bowl, you have a leak. Make repair arrangements immediately.

Keep it cool. Put a container of water in the fridge. When you want a cool drink, you won’t have to let the faucet run.

Recycle, reuse! Think of sources of water for re-use. When you change your fish tank or pet water dishes, put the old water on your plants.

Turn off the water when you brush your teeth. You’ll save 2-4 gallons each time!

Check your load settings. Run full loads of laundry or use the appropriate load setting. Run full loads of dishes in the dishwasher.

OUTSIDE THE HOUSE
Early to bed, early to rise. Water your lawn and garden early in the morning to reduce evaporation.

Use mulch. Place a layer of mulch around trees and plants to retain water.

Water sparingly. Over-watering can damage plants, stimulate fungus, and leach nutrients out of the soil.

Put rainwater to work for you. Border your lawn with deep-rooted flowers and shrubs to prevent water runoff. Direct down spouts into garden areas, or install rain barrels to collect water for use during dry weather.

Watch where you water. Sidewalks, driveways and other paved surfaces don’t need a drink. Direct hoses and sprinklers onto lawns and gardens.

Use a broom, not a hose. Clean sidewalks and driveways with a broom. This saves you water and prevents non-point source pollutants from entering the drain system.

Recycle, reuse! Think of sources of water for re-use. If you use a kiddie-pool in the summer, drain it onto the lawn or into garden beds. If you wash your car at home, position it so the water runs onto the lawn or garden.

Last Updated: March 2006