Water Saving Tips

Don’t keep the tap running when brushing your teeth. Just wet your brush and fill a glass/cup for mouth rinsing.

One way to cut down on water is to turn off the shower after soaping up, then turn it on again to rinse. A four-minute shower uses approximately 20-40 gallons of water.

Read the water meter before and after a two-hour period when no water is being used. If the meter does not read the same as before, there is a leakage.

A small drip from a worn faucet washer can waste 20gallons of water per day. Bigger leakages can waste hundreds of gallons.

Mulch will slow down the evaporation of moisture while discouraging weed growth. Adding 2-4 inches of organic material such as compost or bark mulch will increase the ability of the soil to retain moisture.

Fill the sink with a few inches of warm water. This will rinse your razor just as well as running water. Don’t let water run while shaving or washing your face

Don’t use the toilet as an ashtray or waste-basket

Wash the car using a pail of soapy water. Use the hose only for rinsing. This simple practice can save as much as 150gallons of water when washing a car. Use a spray nozzle for more efficient use of water

Dispose of tissues, insects and other such waste in the trash rather than the toilet

Position your sprinklers in such a way that water lands on the lawn or garden and not on paved areas. Also avoid watering on windy days.

Closing the drain first and fill the tub only 1/3 full. Stopper tub before turning water. The initial burst of cold water can be warmed by adding hot water later

Turn off the tap as soon as you have finished using it and ensure that it is not dripping.

If the toilet flush handle frequently sticks in the flush position, letting water run constantly, replace or adjust it

If you are planting more lawns or plants, use drought-resistant ones. Many beautiful grasses and plants thrive with far less watering than other species.

Leakages outside the house may not seem as bad since they are not as visible, but they can be just as wasteful as leakages indoors. Check frequently to keep them drip-free. Water conservation comes naturally when everyone in the family is aware of its importance, and parents take the time to teach children some of the simple water saving methods around the home. This can make a big difference.

There may be another use for it such as watering a plant, garden or lawn

Defrost food overnight in the refrigerator or by using the defrost setting on your microwave.

Get someone to fix any leaking taps, water fountains or toilets as soon as they are reported.

Use a container to wash your paint brushes instead of washing them under running tap.

A good way to see if your lawn needs watering is to step on the grass. If it springs up when you move, it does not need water. If it stays flat, then the lawn is ready for watering. Allowing the grass to grow taller to about 3inches will promote water retention in the soil. Most lawns need about 1inch of water each week. During the dry spells, you can stop watering altogether and the lawn will go brown and dormant. Once cooler weather arrives, the morning dew and rainfall will bring the lawn back to its usual vigor.

Early morning watering is generally better than dusk since it helps to prevent the growth of fungus. Early watering and late watering also reduce water loss to evaporation. Watering early in the day is also the best defense against slugs and other garden pests. Try not to water when it is windy; wind can blow the sprinklers off target and speed evaporation.