☼ Water Conservation Tips Save Money, Environment

A sprinkler waters a lawn. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Water bills may drain wallets, but there many ways to minimize the water bill while helping with the environment, said representatives from the Northern Kentucky Water District.

Water saving ideas are simple and can make a big difference, said Mark Lofland, Vice President of Account Services and Billing.

Tips for indoors and outdoors can help maintain plants, without wasting water:

• Only water plants when they need it. There is a simple check for this- Dig down several inches near the base of the plant with your finger. If the soil is very dry, then it’s time to water. Another sign is when your plants begin to show signs of wilting, especially in the morning

• Help the neediest plants first. Forget dramatic measures to save your lawn and concentrate your watering efforts on new plantings, vegetables, and tender annuals. Native plants and most perennials can normally wait until the next rainfall arrives.

• Use a broom to clean driveways and sidewalks. Sweeping paved areas will get them clean without wasting gallons of water and washing organic matter and fertilizers into storm drain systems and waterways.

• Don’t let water run while washing your car. Get the car wet, and then turn off the water while you wash the car down using a bucket of soapy water. Turn on the water again for a final rinse. Empty the bucket into a flowerbed or garden area.

• Don’t use sprinklers for entertainment. Running through water from a hose or sprinkler is fun and a nifty way to cool down, but it wastes hundreds of gallons of water in a short time.

• Check for leaks in pipes, hoses, hose connections, and faucets. Even a tiny leak can translate into thousands of gallons of wasted water over a short period of time. Repair or replace any equipment leaking water immediately.

• Large drops mean less waste. Use sprinklers that emit large droplets rather than a fine mist to reduce losses through evaporation.

• Use watering cans, whenever possible. When dealing with just a few patio plants, watering with a hose may actually put more water on the patio than in the containers as you move from plant to plant.

• Capture and recycle rainwater. Place rain barrels or buckets beneath your downspouts. 1,000 sq. ft. of roof surface will collect 420 gallons of water in every inch of rainfall. You can use rainwater to irrigate by hand or wash your car without any chemical residues.

• Run your washing machine and dishwasher only when they are full. You could save 1000 gallons a month.

• Use a pitcher. Keep a pitcher of water in the refrigerator instead of running the tap for cold drinks, so that every drop goes down you not the drain.

• Reuse water. Collect the water you use for rinsing produce and reuse it to water houseplants. Keep a bucket in the shower to catch water as it warms up or runs. Use this water to flush toilets or water plants.

• Watch the time. Time your shower to keep it under 5 minutes. You'll save up to 1000 gallons a month.

via wcpo.com