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Water Efficiency
Measures for Residences
Bathrooms:
- Never use your toilet as a waste basket.
- Do not let the water run while shaving or brushing teeth.
- Take short showers instead of tub baths. Turn off the water
flow while soaping or shampooing.
- If you must use a tub, close the drain before turning on the
water and fill the tub only half full. Bathe small children
together.
- Never pour water down the drain when there may be another
use for it - such as watering a plant or garden.
Kitchen and Laundry:
- Keep drinking water in the refrigerator instead of letting
the faucet run until the water is cool.
- Wash fruits and vegetables in a basin. Use a vegetable brush.
- Do not use water to defrost frozen foods, thaw in the refrigerator
overnight.
- Use a dishpan for washing and rinsing dishes.
- Scrape, rather than rinse, dishes before loading into the
dishwasher.
- Add food wastes to your compost pile instead of using the
garbage disposal.
- Operate the dishwasher only when completely full.
- Use the appropriate water level or load size selection on
the washing machine.
Outside:
- Sweep driveways, sidewalks and steps rather than hosing off.
- Wash the car with water from a bucket, or consider using a
commercial car wash that recycles water.
- When using a hose, control the flow with an automatic shut-off
nozzle.
- Avoid purchasing recreational water toys which require a constant
stream of water.
- If you have a swimming pool, consider a new water-saving pool
filter.
- Lower pool water level to reduce amount of water splashed
out.
- Use a pool cover to reduce evaporation when pool is not being
used.
Equipment:
- Repair all leaks. A leaky toilet can waste 200 gallons per
day. To detect leaks in the toilet, add food coloring to the
tank water. If the colored water appears in the bowl, the
toilet is leaking. Toilet repair advice is available at http://www.toiletology.com/index.shtml
- Install ultra-low flow toilets, or place a plastic container
filled with water or gravel in the tank of your conventional
toilet. Be sure it does not interfere with operation of the
toilet's flush mechanisms.
- Install low-flow aerators and showerheads.
- Consider purchasing a high efficiency washing machine which
can save over 50% in water and energy use.
Landscaping: Please
click here to see the Landscaping Section for appropriate measures.
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