Save Water....

1. There are a number of ways to save water, and they all start with you.
2. When washing dishes by hand, don't let the water run while rinsing. Fill one sink with wash water and the other (or a plastic tub) with rinse water.
3. Soak pots and pans instead of letting the water run while you scrape them clean.
4. Install an instant water heater near your kitchen sink so you don't have to run the water while it heats up. This also reduces energy costs.
5. Insulate your water pipes. You'll get hot water faster plus avoid wasting water while it heats up.
6. If your dishwasher is new, cut back on rinsing. Newer models clean more thoroughly than older ones.
7. Run your clothes washer and dishwasher only when they are full. You can save up to 1,000 gallons a month.
8. When buying new appliances, consider those that offer cycle and load size adjustments. They're more water and energy efficient.
9. For cold drinks keep a pitcher of water in the refrigerator instead of running the tap. This way, every drop goes down you and not the drain.
10. Buy a water filter for your home to reduce bottled water consumption.
11. Wash your fruits and vegetables in a pan of water instead of running water from the tap, and reuse it to water houseplants.
12. When cleaning out fish tanks, give the nutrient-rich water to your plants (inside or out)
13. When you give your pet fresh
water, don't throw the old water down the drain. Use it to water your trees or shrubs.
14. If you accidentally drop ice cubes when filling your glass from the freezer, don't throw them in the sink. Drop them in a house plant instead.
15. If your shower fills a one-gallon bucket in less than 20 seconds, replace the showerhead with a water-efficient, low-flow model.
16. Shorten your shower by a minute or two and you'll save up to 150 gallons per month.
17. Turn off the water while you wash your hair to save up to 150 gallons a month.
18. When running a bath, plug the tub before turning the water on, then adjust the temperature as the tub fills up.
19. Turn off the water while brushing your teeth and save 25 gallons a month.
20. Turn off the water while you shave and save up to 300 gallons a month.
21. When you are washing your hands, don't let the water run while you lather.
22. Conserve water because it is the right thing to do. Don't waste water just because someone else is footing the bill, such as when you are staying at a hotel.
23. Verify that your home is leak-free, because many homes have hidden water leaks. Read your water meter before and after a two-hour period when no water is being used. If the meter does not read exactly the same, there is a leak.
24. Grab a wrench and fix leaky
faucets by replacing washers. It's simple, inexpensive, and you can save 140 gallons a week. (If your faucet is dripping at the rate of one drop per second, you can expect to waste 2,700 gallons per year.)
25. We're more likely to notice leaks indoors, but don't forget to check outdoor faucets, sprinklers and hoses for leaks.
26. Put food coloring in your toilet tank. If it seeps into the toilet bowl without flushing, you have a leak. Fixing it can save up to 1,000 gallons a month.
27. If your toilet was installed before 1992, reduce the amount of water used for each flush by inserting a displacement device in the tank (a brick works great!).
28. Teach your children to turn off faucets tightly after each use.
29. Plant in the fall when conditions are cooler and rainfall is more plentiful.
30. Collect water from your roof to water your garden.
31. Water your plants deeply but less frequently to encourage deep root growth and drought tolerance.
32. For hanging baskets, planters and pots, place ice cubes under the moss or dirt to give your plants a cool drink of water and help eliminate water overflow
33. Aerate your lawn at least once a year so water can reach the roots rather than run off the surface
34. Use sprinklers that deliver big drops of water close to the ground. Smaller water drops and mist often evaporate before they hit the ground. Don't water your lawn on windy days.
35. Avoid over fertilizing your lawn. The application of fertilizers increases the need for water. Apply fertilizers which contain slow-release, water-insoluble forms of nitrogen.
36. Set a kitchen timer when watering
your lawn or garden to remind you when to stop. A running hose can discharge up to 10 gallons a minute.
37. Adjust your lawn mower to a higher setting. A taller lawn shades roots and holds soil moisture better than if it is closely clipped.
38. Wash your pets outdoors in an area of your lawn that needs water.
39. Consider using a commercial car wash that recycles water. If you wash your own car, park on the grass to do so.
40. Do not hose down your driveway or sidewalk. Use a broom to clean leaves and other debris from these areas. Using a hose to clean a driveway can waste hundreds of gallons of water.
41. Create an awareness of the need for water conservation among your children. Avoid the purchase of recreational water toys which require a constant stream of water.
42. Encourage your school system and local government to develop and promote water conservation among children and adults.
43. Encourage your employer to promote water conservation at the workplace. Suggest that water conservation be put in the employee orientation manual and training program.
44. Patronize businesses which practice and promote water conservation.
45. When you save water, you save money on your utility bills too. Saving water is easy for everyone to do!

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About Balvinder Kaur