Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Water rates are rising just when use is maximized .....

There is no time like the present to start training yourself to conserve water and save some money. Water is the lifeblood of the desert and brown lawns aren't the worst of a prolonged drought or rationing. We all need to take an active part in the custodianship of our natural resources. Step one: WATER

Now is the time to establish some basic water conservation measures to not only help save water, but also to cut down on the associated costs. A drought can occur at any time, although in many areas, the effects are greatest in the summer. It's estimated that every household could easily save 100-150 gallons of water each day if the following suggestions were implemented:

Don’t let faucets run continuously. Letting the water run when shaving, brushing teeth or rinsing the dishes is common practice, but an open faucet can allow 5 gallons to pass in as little as 2 minutes;

Use water-saving showerheads and faucets. High-flow showerheads can provide a water flow of 5 or more gallons a minute. Flow restriction devices can cut flow in half or more without reducing the water pressure;

Water your lawn and plants early in the day. Using a deep watering technique once a day will train your lawn and plants to be drought-resistant. Watering your lawn 5 or 6 times a day, even if it's for just a few minutes, is a waste in the long run. You might as well water the driveway. A deep-watering technique will reduce the loss of water due to evaporation; and late watering is also effective in reducing evaporation. If you don't already, water your plants slowly and infrequently, especially in the summer. Consider drip irrigation for garden areas to add water just where it is needed;

Check for drips and leaks. A dripping faucet can allow up to two gallons per hour to be wasted. Toilets are also prime suspects. To check a toilet, simply drop some food coloring into the tank (not the bowl) and wait 15 minutes before flushing. If colored water shows up in the bowl, you have a leak from the tank to the bowl;

Replace your old toilet. If your home was built before 1992 and the toilet has never been replaced, then it is very likely that you do not have a water-efficient 1.6 gallon per flush toilet. You can check the age of your toilets by looking at the date stamp inside the tank. Lift the lid and look at the back of the tank cover for the manufacturer's imprint of the make, model and date of manufacture. Old toilets are the largest water users in many homes, typically using 3 or more gallons per flush. In addition, you might want to consider a two-button toilet; and

Finally, replace old clothes washers. Next to old toilets, an old washing machine generally is the next largest water user in a home. New Energy Star™ rated washers use 35-50% less water and 50% less energy per load. You’ll have an upfront cost but a modern, energy efficient unit saves money on both water and energy bills. Be sure to use the manufacturer's recommended detergent to ensure proper operation.

Stay tuned and........ Keep the faith!