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| Water Use and Conservation Tips |
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1. Take shorter showers. Long, hot showers can waste five to ten gallons every unneeded minute. Get a timer and time yourself. Install a low-flow shower head to reduce water use by 50% or more.
2. Take baths. A bath in a partially filled tub uses less water than all but the shortest showers.
3. Turn off the water while you brush your teeth.
4. Don’t let the water run constantly while you’re washing or rinsing dishes.
5. Run the dishwasher only with a full load. The short cycle uses only 7 gallons. This can save 11-13 gallons per each cycle not run.
6. Keep a pitcher of drinking water in the refrigerator. Running tap water to cool it off for drinking water is wasteful.
7. Wash clothes with a full load. Wait until you have a full load. This can save about 35 gallons for each small load not run.
8. Reduce lawn size. By reducing lawn size you can substantially reduce the amount of water used for landscape maintenance. Replace lawn area with native species of trees and shrubs. Consider alternatives to grass especially when you have steep slopes and shady areas.
9. Use drought resistant grass species. Mixtures of grass species are used to get the most effective and long-lasting seasonal coverage. Fine fescues have low water needs and high drought tolerance. Generally an insect resistant mixture of grasses that includes a high percentage of fine fescues will ensure a drought resistant lawn.
10. Water only when necessary. The two simple ways to tell if your lawn needs water are by the color and flexibility. If you walk on your lawn and leave a footprint or the color of your lawn turns blue/green the grass is not receiving enough water. Mature lawns that go brown in the summer are in a natural period of dormancy. They will green up when wetter cooler weather returns.
11. Water slowly and deeply. Watering slowly and deeply will allow the water to be absorbed. You should water four to six inches deep, which means about one inch of water on the surface. By watering slowly and deeply you can save over 59 gallons a week in the summer.
12. Water your lawn in the early morning. Early morning generally is better that dusk because it helps prevent the growth of fungus.
13. Collect rainwater for landscaping needs. Use cisterns or rain barrels to capture rainwater from downspouts to use for newly planted vegetation. Use a lid, mesh fabric or add several drops of baby oil to prevent mosquitoes from breeding.
14. Put a layer of mulch around the trees and plants. Mulch slows evaporation of moisture and discourages weed growth.
15. Use a broom, not a hose, to clean driveways and sidewalks.
16. Wash the car with a bucket and sponge. Using a bucket and sponge along with a hose with a shut-off valve can save 50 gallons or more per wash.
17. Check for leaks in pipes, hoses, faucets, and couplings. Leaks outside the house may not seem as bad because they’re not as wasteful as leaks inside. Even the smallest drip from a worn washer can waste 20 or more gallons a day. Check frequently and keep them drip free.
Did You
Know?
An American family uses 260 gallons of water in the home per day by…
1. Tap running for two minutes = 3-5 gallons
2. Showering for five minutes = 20-35 gallons
3. Automatic dishwasher = 10-20 gallons
4. Flushing toilet once = 5-7 gallons
5. Full bathtub = 60 gallons
Rapid Valley
Sanitary District – Water Service
is dedicated to providing the best quality and quantity of
water for our customers.
For more information please call the office at (605) 393-1050.
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