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Saving Water Indoors |
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Indoors, the average family uses...
- 21.7% of its water washing clothes
- 1.4% washing dishes1
- 5.7% using faucets
- 16.8% showering
- 26.7% flushing toilets
- 13.7% on leaks
- 1.7% taking baths and
- 2.2% on other uses.
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Save water in the bathroom.
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Replace older toilets with low-flow models to save up to 50%
- Install water-saving showerheads that use 2.5 gallons per minute or less.
- Install water-saving aerators on bathroom faucets.
- Turn off the water while you brush your teeth and save 4 gallons a minute. That's 200 gallons a week for a family of four.
- Take a 5 minute shower or a 6-inch-deep bath
- Avoid flushing the toilet unnecessarily. Dispose of tissues and other similar waste in the trash rather than the toilet.
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Save water in the kitchen & laundry.
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- Install water-saving aerators on kitchen faucets.
- When washing dishes by hand, use a sink full of soapy water; don't let the water run.
- Cook food in as little water as possible. This will also retain more of the nutrients.
- Do not use running water to thaw meat or other frozen foods. Defrost food overnight in the refrigerator or use the defrost setting on your microwave.
- Operate automatic dishwashers and clothes washers only when they are fully loaded or set the water level for the size of load you are using.
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Saving Water Outdoors |
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40% of our drinking water is used for landscape irrigation, making this a critical area for conservation. Follow these tips to maximize the effectiveness of your outdoor watering while minimizing waste. These bits of advice apply to residences and businesses.
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- Water lawns during the early morning when temperature and wind speed are the lowest. This reduces evaporation and waste.
- Use a rain gauge to track the amount of rain or irrigation your yard receives.
- Choose drought-tolerant plants when landscaping and group plants with similar water needs together (hydrozoning).
- Use mulch to retain moisture in the soil.
- Only water your lawn when needed. You can tell this by simply walking across your lawn. If you leave footprints, it's time to water.
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Get Involved... Do you part.
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- Set a good example with your water conservation practices at home, at work, and anywhere else you use water.
- Purchase a rain barrel to capture rainwater for use on your landscape.
- Encourage your employer to promote water conservation in the workplace.
- Support projects that will lead to an increased use of reclaimed waste water for irrigation and other uses.
- Use a commercial carwash that recycles water. If you wash your own car, park on the grass and use a hose with an
automatic shut-off nozzle.
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