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TIP
You can save water using these tips and it all starts with you!
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TIP 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.
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TIP 3
Some refrigerators, air conditioners and ice-makers are cooled with wasted flows of water. Consider upgrading with air-cooled appliances for significant water savings.
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TIP 4
Adjust sprinklers so only your lawn is watered and not the house, sidewalk, or street.
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TIP 5
Run your clothes washer and dishwasher only when they are full. You can save up to 1,000 gallons a month.
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TIP 6
Choose shrubs and groundcovers instead of turf for hard-to-water areas such as steep slopes and isolated strips.
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TIP 7
Install covers on pools and spas and check for leaks around your pumps.
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TIP 8
Use the garbage disposal sparingly. Compost vegetable food waste instead and save gallons every time.
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TIP 9
Plant in the fall when conditions are cooler and rainfall is more plentiful.
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TIP 10
For cold drinks keep a pitcher of water in the refrigerator instead of running the tap. This way, every drop goes down you and not the drain.
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TIP 11
Monitor your water bill for unusually high use. Your bill and water meter are tools that can help you discover leaks.
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TIP 12
Water your lawn and garden in the morning or evening when temperatures are cooler to minimize evaporation.
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TIP 13
Wash your fruits and vegetables in a pan of water instead of running water from the tap.
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TIP 14
Spreading a layer of organic mulch around plants retains moisture and saves water, time and money.
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TIP 15
Use a broom instead of a hose to clean your driveway and sidewalk and save water every time.
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TIP 16
If your shower fills a one-gallon bucket in less than 20 seconds, replace the showerhead with a water-efficient model.
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TIP 17
Collect the water you use for rinsing fruits and vegetables, then reuse it to water houseplants.
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TIP 18
If water runs off your lawn easily, split your watering time into shorter periods to allow for better absorption.
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TIP 19
We’re more likely to notice leaks indoors, but don’t forget to check outdoor faucets, sprinklers and hoses for leaks.
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TIP 20
If you have an automatic refilling device, check your pool periodically for leaks.
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TIP 21
Check the root zone of your lawn or garden for moisture before watering using a spade or trowel. If it’s still moist two inches under the soil surface, you still have enough water.
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TIP 22
When buying new appliances, consider those that offer cycle and load size adjustments. They’re more water and energy efficient.
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TIP 23
Shorten your shower by a minute or two and you’ll save up to 150 gallons per month.
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TIP 24
Upgrade older toilets with water efficient models.
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TIP 25
Adjust your lawn mower to a higher setting. A taller lawn shades roots and holds soil moisture better than if it is closely clipped.
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TIP 26
When cleaning out fish tanks, give the nutrient-rich water to your plants.
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TIP 27
Use sprinklers for large areas of grass. Water small patches by hand to avoid waste.
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TIP 28
Put food coloring in your toilet tank. If it seeps into the toilet bowl without flushing, you have a leak. Fixing it can save up to 1,000 gallons a month.
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TIP 29
When running a bath, plug the tub before turning the water on, then adjust the temperature as the tub fills up.
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TIP 30
Walkways and patios provide space that doesn’t ever need to be watered. These useful “rooms” can also add value to your property.
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TIP 31
Collect water from your roof to water your garden.
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TIP 32
Designate one glass for your drinking water each day or refill a water bottle. This will cut down on the number of glasses to wash.
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TIP 33
Rather than following a set watering schedule, check for soil moisture two to three inches below the surface before watering.
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TIP 34
Install a rain sensor on your irrigation controller so your system won’t run when it’s raining.
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TIP 35
Don’t use running water to thaw food. Defrost food in the refrigerator for water efficiency and food safety.
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TIP 36
Use drip irrigation for shrubs and trees to apply water directly to the roots where it’s needed.
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TIP 37
Grab a wrench and fix that leaky faucet. It’s simple, inexpensive, and you can save 140 gallons a week.
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TIP 38
Reduce the amount of lawn in your yard by planting shrubs and ground covers appropriate to your site and region.
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TIP 39
When doing laundry, match the water level to the size of the load.
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TIP 40
Teach your children to turn off faucets tightly after each use.
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TIP 41
Remember to check your sprinkler system valves periodically for leaks and keep the sprinkler heads in good shape.
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TIP 42
Use a water-efficient showerhead. They’re inexpensive, easy to install, and can save you up to 750 gallons a month.
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TIP 43
Soak pots and pans instead of letting the water run while you scrape them clean.
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TIP 44
Don’t water your lawn on windy days when most of the water blows away or evaporates.
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TIP 45
Water your plants deeply but less frequently to encourage deep root growth and drought tolerance.
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TIP 46
Know where your master water shut-off valve is located. This could save water and prevent damage to your home.
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TIP 47
To decrease water from being wasted on sloping lawns, apply water for five minutes and then repeat two to three times.
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TIP 48
Group plants with the same watering needs together to avoid overwatering some while underwatering others.
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TIP 49
Use a layer of organic material on the surface of your planting beds to minimize weed growth that competes for water.
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TIP 50
Use a minimum amount of organic or slow release fertilizer to promote a healthy and drought tolerant landscape.
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TIP 51
Trickling or cascading fountains lose less water to evaporation than those spraying water into the air.
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TIP 52
Use a commercial car wash that recycles water.
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TIP 53
Avoid recreational water toys that require a constant flow of water.
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TIP 54
Turn off the water while brushing your teeth and save 25 gallons a month.
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TIP 55
Use a rain gauge, or empty tuna can, to track rainfall on your lawn. Then reduce your watering accordingly.
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TIP 56
Encourage your school system and local government to develop and promote water conservation among children and adults.
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TIP 57
Learn how to shut off your automatic watering system in case it malfunctions or you get an unexpected rain.
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TIP 58
Set a kitchen timer when watering your lawn or garden to remind you when to stop. A running hose can discharge up to 10 gallons a minute.
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TIP 59
If your toilet flapper doesn’t close after flushing, replace it.
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TIP 60
Make sure there are water-saving aerators on all of your faucets.
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TIP 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.
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TIP 62
Install an instant water heater near your kitchen sink so you don’t have to run the water while it heats up. This also reduces energy costs.
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TIP 63
Use a grease pencil to mark the water level of your pool at the skimmer. Check the mark 24 hours later to see if you have a leak.
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TIP 64
If your dishwasher is new, cut back on rinsing. Newer models clean more thoroughly than older ones.
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TIP 65
Use a trowel, shovel, or soil probe to examine soil moisture depth. If the top two to three inches of soil are dry it’s time to water.
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TIP 66
If installing a lawn, select a turf mix or blend that matches your climate and site conditions.
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TIP 67
When you save water, you save money on your utility bills too. Saving water is easy for everyone to do.
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TIP 68
When the kids want to cool off, use the sprinkler in an area where your lawn needs it the most.
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TIP 69
Make sure your swimming pools, fountains, and ponds are equipped with recirculating pumps.
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TIP 70
Bathe your young children together.
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TIP 71
Consult with your local nursery for information on plant selection and placement for optimum outdoor water savings.
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TIP 72
Winterize outdoor spigots when temperatures dip below freezing to prevent pipes from leaking or bursting.
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TIP 73
Insulate hot water pipes for more immediate hot water at the faucet and for energy savings.
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TIP 74
Wash your car on the lawn, and you’ll water your lawn at the same time.
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TIP 75
Drop your tissue in the trash instead of flushing it and save water every time.
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TIP 76
Direct water from rain gutters and HVAC systems toward water-loving plants in the landscape for automatic water savings.
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TIP 77
Make suggestions to your employer about ways to save water and money at work.
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TIP 78
Support projects that use reclaimed wastewater for irrigation and industrial uses.
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TIP 79
Use a hose nozzle or turn off the water while you wash your car. You’ll save up to 100 gallons every time.
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TIP 80
Share water conservation tips with friends and neighbors.
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TIP 81
If your toilet was installed before 1992, reduce the amount of water used for each flush by inserting a displacement device in the tank.
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TIP 82
Setting cooling systems and water softeners for a minimum number of refills saves both water and chemicals, plus more on utility bills.
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TIP 83
Washing dark clothes in cold water saves both on water and energy while it helps your clothes to keep their colors.
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TIP 84
Leave lower branches on trees and shrubs and allow leaf litter to accumulate on the soil. This keeps the soil cooler and reduces evaporation.
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TIP 85
Report broken pipes, open hydrants and errant sprinklers to the property owner or your water provider.
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TIP 86
Let your lawn go dormant during the summer. Dormant grass only needs to be watered every three weeks or less if it rains.
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TIP 87
Plant with finished compost to add water-holding and nutrient-rich organic matter to the soil.
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TIP 88
Use sprinklers that deliver big drops of water close to the ground. Smaller water drops and mist often evaporate before they hit the ground.
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TIP 89
Listen for dripping faucets and running toilets. Fixing a leak can save 300 gallons a month or more.
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TIP 90
Water only when necessary. More plants die from over-watering than from under-watering.
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TIP 91
One more way to get eight glasses of water a day is to re-use the water left over from cooked or steamed foods to start a scrumptious and nutritious soup.
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TIP 92
Adjust your watering schedule each month to match seasonal weather conditions and landscape requirements.
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TIP 93
Turn off the water while you wash your hair to save up to 150 gallons a month.
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TIP 94
Wash your pets outdoors in an area of your lawn that needs water.
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TIP 95
When shopping for a new clothes washer, compare resource savings among Energy Star models. Some of these can save up to 20 gallons per load, and energy too.
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TIP 96
Apply water only as fast as the soil can absorb it.
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TIP 97
Aerate your lawn at least once a year so water can reach the roots rather than run off the surface.
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TIP 98
When washing dishes by hand, fill the sink basin or a large container and rinse when all of the dishes have been soaped and scrubbed.
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TIP 99
Catch water in an empty tuna can to measure sprinkler output. One inch of water on one square foot of grass equals two-thirds of a gallon of water.
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TIP 100
Turn off the water while you shave and save up to 300 gallons a month.
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TIP 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.
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TIP 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.
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TIP 103
To save water and time, consider washing your face or brushing your teeth while in the shower.
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TIP 104
While staying in a hotel or even at home, consider reusing your towels.
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TIP 105
When backflushing your pool, consider using the water on your landscaping.
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TIP 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.
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TIP 107
Throw trimmings and peelings from fruits and vegetables into your yard compost to prevent using the garbage disposal.
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TIP 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.
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TIP 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.
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TIP 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.
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TIP 111
When you are washing your hands, don’t let the water run while you lather.
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TIP 112
Look for products bearing the EPA WaterSense Label for items that been certified to save 20% or more without sacrificing performance.