Potential Water Waster

What You Can Do

Amount of Water Saved

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M

S

S

S

S

M

M

S

Use it as little as possible and put in the sink stopper to use the rinse water when operating the disposal. Collect uncooked vegetables and fruit waste and start a compost pile.

S

Install low consumption faucets/aerators (2.5 gpm or less), shower heads and low volume toilets (1.6 gpm or less).

S - L

Do not run water while brushing use a cup to rinse.

S

Do not run water while shaving, fill sink basin with water.

S

Take a shower. Showers use less water and the amount of water can be further reduced by taking shorter showers. Turn off water while soaping up.

L

When using the tub, do not overfill it. Install the stopper before turning on the water, the initial cold water will be warmed by the hot water later. Small kids can take a bath together.

L - M

The water tank float can be adjusted to reduce the amount of water used to flush solid waste. Add a dam in the tank or experiment with adding plastic container filled with rocks or different size bricks to also help reduce the volume of water used.

L

Add a few drops of food coloring to the water tank. If coloring appears in the toilet without flushing, there is a leak, which needs to be repaired.

M

When buying a new washer select one that has a load selector and uses the least amount of water per pound of wash. Get a Suds-saver attachment. Also check energy consumption label to find one that uses less energy as well as water.

L

If the washing machine has a load selector, use it; otherwise wash only full loads. Use cold water if possible to save energy and money.

L

Soak well with smallest possible quantity of low sudsing detergent. Save rinse water for next wash. Just add soap. Presoak very dirty items overnight.

L

Air Conditioning Condensate is a by-product cooling your home and it is free. As air blows across the air conditioners coils (evaporator) inside your house, water condenses on the evaporator lines and drains away thorough pipes (usually plastic) on the outside of the furnace. A by-pass line can be installed to collect the water in a plastic can. Remember to have an overflow line near the top of the plastic can which will route the water to the floor drain in case you forget to turn off the by-pass line.

M

Wash car sensibly, use shut-off nozzle on end of hose and do not let water run while washing. During spring, summer and fall, wash car on lawn instead of driveway and near bushes if possible.

L

Use a broom instead of water to clean the driveway.

L

L

Practice water saving horticulture; try re-landscaping with low water plants and succulents. Grass turf requires 30 - 50% more water than shrubs and other groundcover. The Maryland Cooperative Extension Service has pamphlets on xeriscaping and conserving water which can be obtained by calling them toll free at (800) 342-2507 or from their website www.agnr.umd.edu/users/hgic. Local garden shops and landscapers will be happy to identify plants that are both attractive and suitable to our area.

L

Water plants slowly, thoroughly and as infrequently as possible. Water only when necessary and use drip irrigation systems and water timers. The best time to water is early in the morning and never water on windy days. Position sprinklers so water lands on lawn, trees, shrubs and garden and not sidewalks and driveways. Aerating your lawn and mulching around trees and shrubs helps retain water and mulch has an added benefit of helping to prevent weed growth.

L

Collect rain water from downspouts using large garage cans or food grade plastic barrels either cut a hole in the top for the downspout or complete cut top off placing a removable screen over the top to keep leaves and debris out. Use the water that is collected to water your garden or other plants by dipping in your water can or bucket or install and spigot and hose at the bottom. If you use an electric driven pump, ensure it is plugged into a Ground Fault Interrupter (GFI) outlet or the circuit used is connected to a GFI breaker in your electrical panel.

L

Cut grass less frequently, let it grow higher (2" - 3") in dry weather. Match fertilizer to plant requirements; excess fertilizer stimulates top growth, often to the detriment of the root system. Keep lawn free of weeds by spot spraying; weeds compete with plants and rob them of water and nutrients.

L

Prevent evaporation. Cover pool when not in use to prevent evaporation, cut chemical costs and keep it clean. Do not fill completely, high water splashes easily. Recycle wading pool water for plants, shrubs and lawns.

L

Reuse Fish Tank water on house plants. This will provide fertilizer as well as water.

S