Americans take water for granted, but it is one of our most precious resources. Since it is sweltering summer time, I have been thinking about how to cut water costs.

Some of the things I do let me think that I'm helping conserve this resource. Here are my tactics:

Leakey faucets and toilets

Use your water meter to check for leaks in your home. After turning off all water-using appliances in your home, take a reading on your meter. Wait 30 minutes, then take a peek...has the dial moved? If so, you have a leak!
Try putting food coloring in your toilet tank. In 15 minutes, check your bowl. Is it colorful in there? If so, you have a leak.

Telling people to take a quick shower almost always falls on deaf ears. Everyone wants a leisurely shower now and then. My son used to take what I called "marathon showers," but just installing a water-efficient showerhead helped cut down the amount of water he used. And keep in mind that baths use 30 to 50 gallons of water!

Turn off the faucet while brushing your teeth, soaping your face and shaving.

Don't use running water to thaw out frozen foods. Defrost it overnight or in the microwave.

Avoid flushing the toilet needlessly. Throw tissues and other waste in the garbage.

Major household appliances

The temptation to run the dishwasher with two glasses and a dirty pan is almost unbearable. However, it is much better to wait until the dishwasher is stocked full with dirty dishes.

The best time to do a load of laundry is when you have a a full load -- and make sure the water level is set appropriately. My Whirlpool washer has a water level control that lets me choose the amount of water according to the size of the load. It might save you time to do a load each night, but it saves the environment if you do it all on one night.

Avoid using the garbage disposal as it uses a great deal of water. Place it in the trash instead or start a compost pile as an alternative method(I have written a review on composting if you need more information). Garbage disposals also can add up to 50 percent to the volume of solids in the sewer system and can lead to problems with septic tanks.

Outside conservation

Wash your car with a bucket instead of a hose (which almost always is thrown onto the ground while still running). Use the hose only to rinse your automobile and don't overdo it on hot, dry days.

When cleaning the porch or garage, use a broom. It is as useful and efficient as a hose, and not as costly.

Check your pool and spa for leaks, and make sure you cover those devices at night---that helps to stave off evaporation.

Try to limit the amount of time that children run through the sprinklers on hot summer days.

When watering the lawn, make sure it needs it first!If the grass springs up after stepping on it, it doesn't need water. Avoid watering on windy days, as the wind just carries the water somewhere else, and don't water the gutter. Make sure the sprinklers are positioned so water lands on the lawn and not the pavement!

Plant drought-resistant trees, plants and lawn grass. Put a layer of mulch around them. Mulch slows the evaporation of moisture.

These tips will help cut household water use and help us do what we can for the environment.


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