Water Conservation Tips

BE WATER-SMART!

In The Bathroom:
1. Install a low-flow toilet or a dual flush system.
2. Take shorter showers. Turn the water off while soaping and turn it back on to rinse.
3. When brushing teeth, turn the water off until it is time to rinse.
4. When washing hands, turn the water off while soaping and turn it on again to rinse.
5. When shaving, fill the sink with hot water instead of letting the water run continuously.
6. Test toilets for leaks. Add a few drops of food colouring or a dye tablet to the water in the toilet tank, but do not flush the toilet. Wait a few minutes to see if the colouring appears in the bowl. If so, the toilet has a silent leak that needs to be repaired.
7. Use a toilet tank water displacement device, such as a toilet dam or bag. Also, a plastic bottle can be filled with stones or with water, recapped, and placed in the toilet tank. These devices will reduce the volume of water in the tank but will still provide enough for flushing. (Bricks are not recommended as they eventually crumble and can damage the flushing mechanism.) Displacement devices are not recommended for use with newer low-flow toilets.
8. Never use the toilet as a trash can to dispose of bugs, cigarette butts, or other items. Unnecessary flushing wastes water and places an unnecessary burden on sewage treatment plants and septic tanks.  

In The Kitchen:
1. Never run the dishwasher without having a full load.
2. Think “conservation” when working in the kitchen. Small water savings, such as not making too much coffee or letting ice cubes melt in a sink, can add up over time.
3. Only fill the kettle with the water you need.  

In The Laundry:
1. Wash only a full load when using the washing machine. It takes about 32 to 59 gallons of water per load!  

Outdoors:
1. Water plants early in the morning during the hot season to reduce evaporation loss.
2. Consider use of drip irrigation for bedded plants, trees, or shrubs.
3. Do not over-water or water too frequently.
4. Use mulches to help reduce soil moisture loss.
5. Do not "sweep" the driveway or sidewalk with water from the hose. Use a broom instead.
6. Use a bucket of soapy water and use the hose only for rinsing when washing the car.
7. Mow your lawn no shorter than 3 inches. Taller grass needs less water and fewer fertilizers and herbicides.