The
national average of individual daily water use is 1,500 gallons per
person per day. Closer to home, residents in the cities of Gering and
Scottsbluff require an average of 3.5 million gallons of water a day.
Simply put, our daily lives require a lot of water to maintain our comfort,
health, and prosperity.
The
biggest household uses of water, are watering lawns and gardens, flushing
toilets, bathing; and washing laundry and dishes. Everyone in your home,
including small children, can do their part in conserving water supplies.
Remember -- Every Drop Counts.
Here
are some suggestions for conserving water, by category of use:
Watering lawns and gardens
To
save water:
•
Landscaping benefits most from slow, thorough, infrequent watering.
Minimize evaporation by watering in early morning or evening.
•
Aerate lawns.
•
Install drip irrigation and automatic timers.
•
Plant hardy, water-saving plants, trees and shrubs, particularly native
species.
•
Mow less frequently in dry times. Limit lawn by using gravel or bark.
Flushing toilets
To
save water:
•
Flush only when necessary. Avoid using the toilet for a wastebasket.
Every flush you eliminate can save 2 to 7 gallons of water.
•
If you have an older toilet, consider installing a newer water-efficient
toilet. Or improve your old toilet's water efficiency by installing
a toilet dam, 1.6 gallon flapper, or water-filled plastic container
in the tank.
•
Test your toilet for leaks that waste water. Add several drops of
food coloring to the toilet tank. If it's leaking, the coloring will
appear in the toilet without flushing.
Bathing
To
save water:
•
Every shower or bath requires 30 to 50 gallons of water. If you shower,
install a low-flow showerhead.
•
Keep showers under five minutes.
•
Turn off the water to soap up.
•
If you have a tub, try bathing in just 10 gallons.
Laundering
To
save water:
•
Match the washer's load selector to your load size.
•
Try to wash only full loads.
•
Minimize detergent use.
•
Save energy by using cold water to wash.
•
If you are buying a new washing machine, find the one that conserves
water and energy and has a suds-saver attachment. Horizontal axis
(usually front-loading) clothes washers are more water conserving.
In addition, new features are making some top loaders more water-efficient.
Washing dishes
To
save water:
•
Only run the dishwater when you have a full load of dishes.
•
Minimize detergent use.
•
Prepare food with an eye to reducing dishwashing.
•
Use a rubber spatula to scrape dishes clean to limit pre-rinse. Let
really dirty pans or dishes soak to speed washing.
Washing the car
To
save water:
•
Choose a car wash that recycles water.
•
At home, use a shut-off nozzle and wash your car in small sections.
•
Wash the car on or near the lawn to reuse the water.
Drinking
To
save water:
•
At home, cool drinking water in the refrigerator or with ice, not
by running the tap.
•
Use leftover drinking water for pets or to water plants.
•
At restaurants, request only the drinking water you need.
•
At work, fill your durable cup at the water fountain to reduce waste.
Cooking:
To
save water:
•
Speed cleaning food by using a vegetable brush.
•
Spray water in short bursts.
•
Faucet aerators cut consumption.
•
Plan ahead to defrost food overnight in the refrigerator. Don't use
running water. Use the microwave or put wrapped food in a bowl of
cold water.
Faucets:
To
save water:
•
Twice a year, check all faucets inside and outside for leaks.
•
Replace worn-out fixtures, washers, O-rings, and hose connections.
•
Turn faucets off firmly.
At the bathroom sink:
To
save water:
•
Don't let the water run while you brush your teeth or shave. Turn
the faucet on briefly to rinse.
•
Use an electric razor save from using water.
