Voluntary water conservation measures
By News-Argus Staff
Published in News on August 31, 2007 1:53 PM
* Take five-minute showers instead of baths.
* Do not let water run while shaving, brushing teeth, and rinsing dishes.
* Keep a bottle of chilled water in the refrigerator for drinking, so as not to run the tap to get cold water.
* Only run dishwasher or clothes washing machine when have full loads.
* Washing dishes by hand saves about 25 gallons (don't let tap run).
* Inspect and repair leaky valves on faucets and toilets.
* Install water-saving devices on toilets and showers. (i.e., place an item in the toilet tank -- do not use a brick to reduce amount of water per flush, install low-flow shower heads, etc. Look for water conservation features if buying new water-consuming appliances.)
* Do not allow children to play with hose or sprinklers.
* Limit lawn and outside plant watering, then only at night between 5 p.m. and midnight, no more than three times per week, to avoid water evaporation loss. In an hour, 600 gallons of water can be wasted.
* Position sprinklers to water the lawn, to avoid water spraying on pavement.
* Avoid watering on windy days when the wind not only blows water off target, but also causes excess evaporation.
* Know how to turn off an automatic sprinkler system in case of rain. There are automatic rain sensors available that prevent automatic sprinkler from starting if it has just rained.
* Use an alarm clock or a timer to remind one to shut off hose-fed sprinklers that don't have timers.
* Consider delaying the seeding or sodding of new lawns.
* Golf courses and athletic fields shall attempt to reduce water consumption by 50%.
* While waiting for water to get hot, catch running water from sink and tub faucets and use for animals to drink or to water plants.
* Use a broom instead of water to wash down sidewalks, patios, and driveways.
* Do not fill empty swimming pools or wading pools.
* Do not use the toilet as a wastebasket. Put tissues and trash in a trash can.
* Limit toilet flushes.
* Use disposable & biodegradable dishes where possible.
* Be ready to catch rainfall that occurs. Place containers under drain spouts.
* Use pistol-grip nozzles on hoses to avoid waste when watering flowers and shrubs.
* Aerate lawns by punching holes 6 inches apart. This allows water to reach roots rather than run off surfaces.
* Keep sprinkler heads clean to prevent uneven watering.
* Adjust hose to simulate a gentle rain. Sprinklers that produce a fine mist waste water through evaporation.
* Install automatic shut off devices on sprinkler systems.