24 Great Water Conservation Tips
- Use a water timer for all plants, lawns, trees, and shrubs.
- Save water by using a drip system. Check your local yellow pages for landscaping or drip system for installations. Most drip systems are inexpensive and easy to install.
- Always water in the early morning hours, especially your lawn. Avoid watering during the mid or late hours. Who knows what you might see!
- Watering during the late hours and standing water may promote fungus and diseases. You will save water by watering in the early morning hours.
- Check your sprinkler system to make sure you are NOT watering the driveway or your neighbors yard.
- Be sure all sprinkler hoses are not leaking, blocked or pinched.
- Chose Bermuda sod or grasses over others, as it is drought tolerant and requires less maintenance. Check with your local nursery for other types of low water grasses.
- Deep Watering is much better than shallow watering. Make sure water drains well.
- Remember that most trees, plants and shrubs need little watering once they are well established. This is usually about 1 year after being planted.
- Use a soaker hose for most plants as this provides for less evaporation.
- Always use a good mulch for planting trees, shrubs or plants. Mulch will help retain water.
- Do NOT use a water hose to spray debris from pavement or sidewalks. Use a push broom instead.
- Use a bucket to wash your vehicle. Use a good "Car Wash" detergent that helps prevent streaks. Use a hand held nozzle that will turn off after rinsing your vehicle.
- Shut off water sprinklers and drip systems right after a good rainfall.
- Avoid watering during windy days. Wind will make water evaporate much faster.
- Keep your mower blades sharpened. Dull blades tear grass, making it take more water to recuperate.
- Keep your yard maintained on a year round bases. Mow, prune, and weed out. Your neighbors will appreciate it and you will feel better afterwards.
- Save the long hot baths for special occasions. Take short showers instead.
- Try to use low water or Xeriscaping plants for your garden or landscaping home.
- Do not turn your cooler on until it is at least 80-85 degrees. Your evaporative cooler will use much less water.
- Be sure to slightly open your window in each room so that warm air will escape.
- Water conservation requires that you maintain your evaporative cooler - check for leaks and proper water flow.
- Install efficient shower heads. Most are inexpensive and easy to install.
- Bathe with your significant other! Yes, take a bath or showers with your spouse, you could almost cut your water bill in half!
By Paul Guzman from Las Cruces, NM
http://www.guzmansgreenhouse.com
Answers:
Water Conservation - What You Can Do
I agree with every aspect Paul. I live in Australia where most of our country has a dire water shortage, and my state, Victoria there are now severe water restrictions.. ie, cars must be washed with a bucket(S) of water, no hosing..lawns may not be watered AT ALL, gardens may be watered, at restricted hours and times, no refilling of back yard swimming pools without council permission, and then they have to be filled with a bucket. Makes me wonder just how many people are eager for a swim now!
The good thing is that the majority of people are doing their darndest, obeying the restrictions, utilizing grey water for gardens, installing rain water tanks, etc.
I'm a (rented) second floor apartment dweller, no yard or garden, but do what I can too.. my potted plants are often watered with the water that comes out of my fish tank when I change the fishes water. I wash dishes (handwash) only once a day. I make sure no taps are dripping. I shower only long enough to get my body wet and clean.. I guarantee less than the suggested three minutes.
The environmental warning bells have rung loud and clear, and we ignore them at our peril.
(02/03/2007)
By ellie
