CONSERVATION MEASURES

HERE ARE SOME LINKS TO ADDITIONAL CONSERVATION MEASURES:
http://saveourwater.com/
http://www.h2ouse.org/tour/index.cfm




  • Install a 1.6 Gallon Ultra Low-Flow Toilet. Replace your 
  old toilet, the largest water user in your home, and 
  you'll save 3.5 to 4.5 gallons on every flush! If your 
  home was built prior to 1992 and the toilet has never 
  been replaced, it's very likely that you do NOT have a 
  water efficient, 1.6 gallon-per-flush-toilet. (Check the 
  date the toilet was made by lifting the lid at the top of 
  the toilet tank and looking inside for the manufacturer's 
  date imprint.)
  • If you can't install a new toilet, put a plastic container or 
  displacement bag in your toilet tank. Make one
  by placing an inch or two of sand or pebbles into a one 
  quart or larger container. Fill the rest of the container 
  with water, then put the cap back on and place the 
  bottle in your toilet tank (safely away from the operating 
  mechanism). The container will save on each flush 
  without impairing the efficiency of the toilet.
  • Check for leaks in your toilet. Toilets can have big 
  leaks-up to 200+ gallons per day. Check for water
  leaking past the flapper valve at the bottom of the tank 
  and into the toilet bowL Put 10 drops of food coloring in 
  the tank. Wait 10 minutes. Don't flush. If color shows up 
  in the bowl, you've got a leak. Replace the flapper 
  valve.
  • Never use your toilet as a trash can. Flushing trash and 
  cigarette butts down the toilet wastes gallons
  of water-not to mention the damage it does to your 
  septic system.
  • Replace your clothes washer, the second largest water 
  user in your home. "Energy Star" rated front loading 
  washing machines can use half the water that a 
  standard, top loading washer uses. They also spin most 
  of the water out, so laundry drys quicker, saving you $$ 
  on both water and energy bills. Washing machines use 
  up to 60 gallons per load, so wash full loads only.
  • Run only full dishwasher loads, and save 300 - 800 
  gallons of water every month! Every load uses
  about 15 gallons. If you wash dishes by hand, don't 
  leave the water running for rinsing.
  • Replace regular showerheads with water conserving 
  showerheads, and save 20 or more gallons for a five- 
  minute shower! Take shorter showers, and save 5 -10 
  gallons for every minute you cut back. In fact, take a 
  short shower instead of a bath, and cut your water 
  consumption by 2/3.
  • Faucets. Use aerators on all faucets. Kitchen faucet 
  aerators use less than 2.5 gallons per minute. Bathroom
  faucet aerators use less than 2 gallons per minute. • Tum 
  off the water while brushing your teeth and save up to 3 
  gallons each time. • Don't let the faucet run while you 
  clean vegetables-rinse them in a sink full of clean water.
 • Tum off the water while you're shaving-fill the sink with a 
  little water and rinse your razor. You can save up to 3 
  gallons. • Check faucets and pipes for leaks; even a small 
  drip can waste more than 1500 gallons a month.
 • Repair leaks immediately. Many silent leaks allow water- 
  and your money-to go down the drain.
  Studies have shown homes can waste more than 10% 
  due to leaks, which costs both you and the environment.
 • Leaks in an irrigation system can be a huge waste of 
  water. Fix irrigation system leaks quickly and check for 
  pooling water or mud puddles. Inspect sprinklers and drip 
  sprayers regularly for leaks during the day, since the 
  optimal time to water is at night-when you cannot observe 
  leaks. If you have an older irrigation system, over 50% 
  and even more than 75% of the water can be lost to leaks.
 • Turn off all water to your home (inside and outside) if you 
  plan to be away for more than twenty-four
  hours. Residents have had undetected leaks which have 
  incurred thousands of dollars in water bills.
 • Never water native (pine and oak) trees. Plant drought 
  resistant plants that don't require irrigation.
 • Landlords: make your renters pay for water-they'll be 
  motivated to save.
 • Keep a bottle of drinking water in the refrigerator, so you 
  won't have to run the tap to cool it.
 • Use a broom instead of the hose.
 • Wash your car in the city - not in Pine Hills!

  Post this where everyone in the house will see it as a 
  reminder to save water!