What you can do to live more green: Water Conservation

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Drippy says....
Don't be a drip - fix that leak! Leaky faucets can waste thousands of gallons of water each year, like money down the drain. Repair or replace old or damaged fixtures. If you're not sure you have a leak, check the water meter before and after a two-hour period when no water is being used. If the meter does not read exactly the same, you probably have a leak.

Full load.
The average washing machine uses 40.9 gallons of water per load. If you buy a a new washer, shop for a high-efficiency washer that needs less than 28 gallons of water per load. To achieve even greater savings, wash only full loads of laundry or be sure to choose the appropriate load size on the washing machine.

Don't be a drip
Don't be a drip - fix that leak! Leaky faucets can waste thousands of gallons of water each year, like money down the drain. Repair or replace old or damaged fixtures. If you're not sure you have a leak, check the water meter before and after a two-hour period when no water is being used. If the meter does not read exactly the same, you probably have a leak.

4 gallons per wash
Make it a full load! Run your dishwasher only when it's full. Don't pre-rinse dishes - tests show pre-rinsing doesn't improve dishwasher cleaning, and you'll save as much as 20 gallons of water per load. When you buy a new dishwasher, look for one that saves water. Water-efficient models use only about only about 4 gallons per wash.

Wait for the storm to pass!
Wait for the storm to pass! Don't fertilize before a rain storm. Your fertilizer - along with your money – can just wash off your lawn and down the storm drain. Fertilizer runoff can pollute rivers, lakes, and bays, and cause problems in recreational areas or fishing grounds. Check the weather forecast before you head out, and wait for the storm to pass.

Rainy Days and Lawn Sprinklers
When the forecast calls for rain turn off your lawn sprinklers to save water. Depending on the amount of rain, they can remain off for a few days after the rains. By installing Rain Shut-Off Devices you don't have to worry about rainy days or overwatering your lawn.

Rinse No More
According to Consumer Reports, pre-rinsing dishes does not necessarily improve a dishwasher’s ability to clean them. By skipping the wash before the wash, you can save up to 20 gallons of water per dish load. At one load a day, that’s 7,300 gallons over the course of the year. Not to mention that you’re saving time, dishwashing soap, and the energy used to heat the additional water.

Save Water Indoors
A typical American household uses 350 gallons of water each day. About half that-175 gallons-is used indoors (toilets consume about 30 percent of the indoor total). Unnecessary water usage comes in the form of leaks. Fixing leaky faucets and toilets is a quick and easy way to conserve water. A steady facet drip can waste 200 gallons of water a day. Leaky toilets are even worse, wasting upward of 100 gallons a day. Since toilet leaks are generally silent, check for them regularly removing the tank cover and adding food coloring. If the toilet is leaking (and 20 percent of them usually are), color will appear in the bowl within 30 minutes.

Stop the Water
By leaving the water running while you brush your teeth, you can waste 150 gallons of water per month-that’s 1,800 gallons a year! Turning the water off while your brush can save several gallons of water per minute. Also pay attention to this water-saving principle while shaving or washing your face.

Take Showers, Not Baths
The average American household consumes about 60 gallons of water a day from showers and baths. To reduce this number, take quick showers and install a low-flow showerhead that uses fewer than 2.5 gallons of water per minute, as compared to about 5 gallons with an older showerhead. Baths are relaxing, but it can take 50 gallons of water to fill a tub.

Conserve Water In Your Garden
Attach a barrel to your downspout that will collect rain from your roof’s eaves. Your plants will thank you: rainwater is better for your garden, as the chlorine in tap water can inhibit plant growth. You can also save six gallons every minute of watering simply by attaching a trigger nozzle to your hose so that you use water only when it’s needed. In addition, if you grow your grass a little longer, it will stay greener and require less water than a closely mowed lawn.