By RMHP
The Western Slope has received plenty of snow this year, and while drought conditions have been minimized, water conservation is still as important as ever. Don’t wait for the next drought to start being smarter about water usage. Instead, make these 11 simple water saving tips a part of your daily life today.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), showers use approximately 17 percent of a home’s indoor water use. If every member of your household reduced their showering time by 1-2 minutes, the water savings would be incredibly significant.
The EPA also notes that the average family can save 2,900 gallons of water per year by switching an old showerhead with a WaterSense labeled model.
Leaky faucets and taps should be tightened as soon as possible. Leaks waste a lot of water, and the fix is usually simple. If you can’t get to the root cause, schedule an appointment with a local plumber.
Aerators and other similar devices easily attach to your taps, allowing your family to reduce water usage with minimal effort.
Running the washing machine or dishwasher before it’s full is an unnecessary waste of water. Using the shortest wash cycle is another effective way to conserve H2O.
Fill the sink with water and scrub away, then rinse everything in at one time.
Water during the early morning or at dusk, when water is less likely to evaporate in the sun.
Your sprinkler heads should be adjusted so that water hits the lawn, not the driveway, sidewalk, or house.
When water can’t soak into the soil, run-off is the result. Avoid this type of water waste by:
Native grasses, succulents, and other types of arid-weather plants require far less water than the average lawn or garden. They look great and can even be much easier to maintain.
After you mow the lawn, let the clippings stay on the ground. Doing so provides shade, which helps your grass stay cool and locks in more moisture.