Waterwise Wish List - Simple Steps to Conserve Water

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1. Cut back on outdoor watering

In the fall and winter seasons cooler weather and rain make it possible to reduce the amount of water given to plants.

1. Turn off the faucet when shaving or brushing your teeth

Since you won’t be needing water when doing such activities it’s better to just turn off the faucet instead of letting it run. By doing this you can save up to 200 gallons of water a month.

1. Choose plants for your garden that are drought-tolerant

Plants such as yarrow, dianthus, and lilac require less frequent watering and can be planted in the late fall and early winter seasons. 

A guide to drought-tolerant plants per region: https://yardzen.com/yzblog/drought-tolerant-planting

1. Don’t pour water down the drain, use it for something else

Extra water can be used in so many different ways, i.e. for watering plants. Before you toss water away, see if you can reuse it.

1. Sweep patios, driveways, and sidewalks instead of hosing them down

Especially now that all the leaves have fallen, it’s important to save water when cleaning up paved surfaces.

1. Use a pool cover to reduce evaporation when not in use

Since it’s been getting colder your pool most likely won’t be in use nowadays. Covering it up allows you to prevent up to 90% of pool water evaporation as well as reduce the amount of dirt and leaves that will get in as the trees shed. 

1. Install a rain barrel

Collecting and using rainwater from rain barrels is an easy way to conserve water during the winter season and throughout the entire year. By installing one you can save an average of 1300 gallons of water per year.

1. Fix leaks

When you have a leak, you end up wasting a lot of water. By making sure to fix the leaks in your house one home can save up to 10,000 gallons of water a year.

1. Place a bucket in your shower

As it gets colder, most people want to take hot showers. While waiting for your water to turn hot, you should put a bucket under the shower to catch all the cold water so you’ll be able to reuse it for other purposes

1. Use a full load when washing your clothes

Using only full loads when doing laundry helps to cut out unnecessary washes and can save up to 3,400 gallons of water yearly.