Most parts of the country experience very little rainfall or they experience just the opposite – flooding. Californians are grilled year-round about our drought conditions. We need to take the necessary precautions to prevent irreversible drought situations. In California, we experience the talk of drought almost daily. Water conservation is the most effective drought prevention strategy. Make it a habit to save water every day and educate yourself and others on the best ways to conserve.
Here Are Some Tips For Water Conservation
- Replace your faucet washers to stop leaks. A faucet that wastes one drop of water every second can waste 2,700 gallons of water annually.
- Every homeowner should examine their plumbing system for leaks. If you locate a leak, have your plumbing technician make the necessary fixes ASAP.
- Retrofit all domestic faucets with aerators and flow restrictors.
- Select appliances such as dishwashers, water heaters, and cloth washers with the best water and energy efficiency. You can do that by purchasing products with the WaterSense label.
BATHROOM
- Invest in toilets that consume 1.6 gallons of water per flush or less. That is less than half the volume of water as previous toilets from the 90s.
- Install low-flow shower heads in all your bathrooms with one that uses 2.0 gallons of water a minute.
KITCHEN
- Dispose of food scraps by placing them in the trash or starting a compost pile rather than utilizing the garbage disposal.
- If you can repurpose water, then do so. For example, never dump water down the drain without a purpose. Instead, use it to water your indoor or outdoor plants.
- You can even repurpose dishwater. Liquid dish detergents won’t normally harm most plants in diluted concentrations of 1–3%; for example, Palmolive, Dove, Dawn, and Ivory will not harm your plants. Additionally, dish soap functions as a pesticide at these amounts. The idea that dish soap destroys plants is a widely held thought, although false.
Before a drought, consider these outdoor water conservation measures:
- Plant grasses, ground coverings, shrubs, and indigenous trees or tolerant to drought. Your plants won’t require as much watering after they are established. Organize plants according to how much water they require.
- Installing decorative water features, such as fountains, is not advised unless the water is recycled.
- Where possible, think about harvesting rainwater.
- Check your irrigation system and outdoor spigots for leaks.
Water Conservation For Your Garden Care
- Place sprinklers so that water falls on the grass and plants rather than the pavement.
- Fix sprinklers that emit a thin mist of water.
- Regularly check the functionality of timing devices and sprinkler systems.
- Increase the height of the lawnmower blade to at least three inches or more. A higher cut promotes deeper root growth and maintains soil moisture.
- Sow drought-resistant lawn seed.
- Don’t fertilize your yard excessively. The requirement for water rises when fertilizer is applied. Instead, apply fertilizers that include nitrogen in water-insoluble, slow-release forms.
- For your trees, shrubs, and flowers, pick a water-efficient watering technique, such as drip irrigation.
- To keep moisture in the soil, you should use mulch around trees and other plants. Mulch also aids in the management of weeds that challenge plants for water.
- Invest in a smart controller or a weather-based irrigation controller. Based on factors such as soil moisture, rain, wind, and rates of evaporation and transpiration, these devices will automatically change the watering time and frequency. Contact your local water company to find out if a rebate is offered to purchase a smart controller.
How Pool Owners Can Save Water
- Install a pool filter that uses less water. For example, with a conventional filter, one back flushing requires 180 to 250 gallons of water.
- Cover spas and pools to stop water from evaporating.
In times of drought, always adhere to local and state water use limits while a drought is in effect. For the most recent details and advice, get in touch with your state or local government.
Tips for Saving Water Indoors During a Drought
BATHROOM
- Don’t flush the toilet more often than necessary. Use the garbage instead of the toilet to dispose of tissues, insects, and other similar debris.
- Take quick showers as opposed to baths.
- When showering, rinse then shut the water off. Wash, then rinse off again.
- When shaving, cleaning your face, or brushing your teeth, don’t let the water run.
LAUNDRY
- Washing machines should only be used when completely loaded or with the water level adjusted for the size of your load.
KITCHEN
- Dishwashers that run automatically should only be used when completely filled. To use less water, choose the “light wash” option.
- Save water by using a dish pan. Your dish pan will catch the water you use for watering plants or the garden. Suppose you’re waiting for the water to warm up, collect that water with your dish pan.
- Before putting dishes in the dishwasher, remove any big food particles without rinsing them.
- Use the dishwasher versus hand washing.
- Never defrost meat or other frozen goods under running water. Instead, use the defrost setting on your microwave or leave food in the refrigerator overnight to thaw unless you use a dish pan and plan on using the saved water.
Tips for Outdoor Water Conservation During a Drought
GARDEN CARE
- For up to two weeks after heavy rain, no watering is required. Lawns typically only require one inch of water each week.
- Use a big screwdriver, spade, or soil probe to measure the soil’s moisture content. If the soil is still wet, you don’t need to water it. Your grass doesn’t require water, especially if it bounces back when you stand on it.
- When temperatures are lower, such as early in the morning or later in the evening, water your grass if it needs it.
- Instead of watering in one long session, water your grass in multiple brief ones to help it absorb moisture and prevent runoff.
- To clear your driveway or sidewalk of leaves and other debris, use a broom or blower rather than a hose.
- Do not let hoses or sprinklers run unsupervised. In just a few hours, a garden hose may discharge 600 gallons or more.
WASHING A CAR
- Use a commercial car wash that recycles water.
- If you wash your car from home, make sure you use a shut-off nozzle on your hose that you may adjust to provide a thin spray while washing your automobile.
