WATER WASTERS IN THE KITCHEN AND BATHROOM
The Toilet
--Check for toilet leaks by adding blue or green food coloring to the tank. If the toilet is leaking, color will appear in the bowl within 30 minutes. Check the toilet for worn out, corroded, or bent parts. Consider purchasing a low-flow toilet that can reduce indoor water use by 20%.
--Avoid unnecessary flushing. Dispose of tissues, insects, and other similar waste in the trash rather than the toilet.
--If the toilet flush handle frequently sticks in the flush position, which lets water run constantly, replace or adjust it.
The Shower and Bath
--Replace your showerhead with an ultra low-flow version, saving up to 2.5 gallons per minute.
--Take shorter showers. Try a "Navy" shower; get wet, turn off the water, soap and scrub, then turn the water on to rinse.
--Use the minimum amount of water needed for a bath by closing the drain first and filling the tub only 1/3 full. The initial burst of cold water can be warmed by adding hot water later.
--Don't let the water run while shaving, washing your face, or brushing your teeth.
The Kitchen
--Minimize the use of the garbage disposal because they require a lot of water to operate properly.
--Store drinking water in the fridge rather than letting the tap run to get a cold drink of water.
--Do not use running water to thaw meat or frozen foods. Defrost them overnight in the fridge or use the defrost setting on the microwave.
Washing Dishes
--When washing dishes by hand, fill one basin with soapy water. Quickly rinse dishes under a slow stream from the faucet. Use the dirty water to run your garbage disposal.
--Only run full loads in the diswasher. It uses the same amount of water no matter how full the machine.
--Purchase dishwashers with water and energy saving options.
OTHER WATER WASTERS IN YOUR HOME
Appliances
--Unlike dishwashers, the amount of water your washing machine uses is adjustable; adjust according to your load size.
--Look for water saving washing machines when purchasing new. Front loading machines use less water than top loading machines.
--Install water softening systems only when necessary. Save water and salt by running the minimum amount of regeneration necessary. Turn off softeners while on vacation.
Divert From the Drain
--Never put water down the drain when it may have another use such as watering plants
--Reuse the fish tank water on your household plants. It makes a nice fertilizer.
Maintenance
--Check to make certain your house does not have 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 the same, you may have a leak.
--Repair dripping faucets by replacing the washers. If your faucet is dripping at the rate of one drop per second, you can expect to waste 2,700 gallons of water in a year.
OUTDOOR WATER WASTERS
Car Washing
--If you wash your own car, turn off the water while soaping and use a hose with a pressure nozzle to decrease rinsing time.
--When washing your motor vehicles, park them in grass so the soapy wash water is filtered through the grass.
--If you wash your car and truck on pavement, the soapy water runs directly into the street and the storm sewer. This soapy water drains directly into the Maumee River, and pollutes our drinking water source.
--Consider using a commercial car wash that recycles water.
Lawn and Garden Watering
When watering your lawn remember these few important guidelines.
--The best time of day to water your lawn is in the morning. If you water in the evening, the extra moisture can cause problems to your lawn.
--A longer period of watering is better for your grass. Deeper watering stimulates a deeper root system that is more beneficial for healthy grass during drought conditions. Short periods of watering promotes more shallow root systems and results in a less healthy root system.
--Make certain water is landing on the landscaping and not on pavement, sidewalks or running into the street. Runoff wastes water and money.
--A soaker hose is a more efficient method of watering than the sprayer method. When using the sprayer method, much of the water is misdirected and evaporates.
--Regularly check sprinkler systems and timing devices to be sure they are operating properly.
--Teach your family how to shut off the automatic systems so they can turn them off when it rains.
--Fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides and insecticides can be harmful to the Maumee River watershed. Never pour these items down the drain at home or in the street.
--Be careful to avoid application prior to a rain storm as these chemicals will enter the storm drains. Look for less toxic alternatives.
Links: Wood County Soil & Water | Rain Garden Initiative
Landscaping
--Mulch to retain moisture in the soil. Mulch also helps control weeds.
--Plant native and/or drought resistant grasses, ground covers, shrubs and trees which require less watering.
--When planting, group plants together based on similar water needs.
--Minimize the grass areas in your yard because less grass means less watering.
--Install a rain gauge to determine how much rain or irrigation your yard and plants have received.
Driveway and Sidewalk Cleaning
--When you are cleaning your driveway or sidewalk after mowing your lawn, use a broom, leaf blower or the lawnmower to blow the grass clippings back into the lawn NOT into the street.
--All grass clippings that are in the street will flow into the storm sewer drain, possibly causing a clog.
--All water that flows into the street goes directly into the Maumee River.
Pool Cleaning
--When backwashing your pool, pool water should run into the sanitary sewer. If this is not possible, run backwash water on a designated area of your lawn. The chlorine from your pool is damaging to plants and animals. It should not be drained directly into the street storm sewer.
--Consider a new water saving pool filter. A single backflushing with a traditional filter uses from 180 to 250 gallons of water.
--When draining your pool, the water should not be drained directly into the street as it still contains chemicals.
resources from Earth 911.com