When it comes to conserving water, small adjustments can make a big impact. The American Water Works Association recommends the following steps to help conserve water:
- Don't over-water your lawn. Only water your lawn every three to five days in the summer. To prevent water loss from evaporation, don't water your lawn during the hottest part of the day or when it is windy.
- Wash full loads. Only run the dishwasher and clothes washer when they are fully loaded.
- Defrost frozen food in the refrigerator or in the microwave instead of running water over it.
- Soak pots and pans. Rather than let the water run while you scrape them clear, let your dirty pots and pans soak for a few minutes first.
- Use a broom, rather than a hose, to clean sidewalks and driveways.
- Turn off your faucet when brushing your teeth. Turning off the faucet will save up to four gallons a minute.
- Cover your swimming pool. You'll cut the loss of water by evaporation by 90 percent.
- Repair dripping faucets and leaky toilets. Dripping faucets can waste about 2,000 gallons of water each year. Leaky toilets can waste as much as 200 gallons each day!