12 Ways To Conserve Water

Posted on September 25th, 2008 in Conservation, Uncategorized by Debbie

Water conservation is top a top priority. More water is wasted then any other resource we have. Here are a few water saving tips to help around the yard this summer and they are really easy to implement into your outdoor routine.

  1. Only water your lawn when it needs it. You can tell when your lawn needs water by walking across it, if it springs back it’s ok, but if you can see your foot prints where the grass doesn’t spring back then it needs water.
  2. If you own an automatic sprinkler system it is best to deactivate these and manually start and stop them. This way you can monitor when your lawn needs water and doesn’t.
  3. Make sure your sprinklers are watering your lawn and not the sidewalk and street. Nothing is more discouraging then to pull up near a business or house in your car on a passing street and get your car washed (spotted more like it) while you waiting for the light. Think of the waste!
  4. Divide your watering cycle into shorter periods by watering twice a day. This will allow for better absorption and less run off.
  5. Direct down spouts and water run off to trees and shrubs.
  6. Shut off the hose while washing your car or use a trigger sprayer, and as long as you are using a non harsh detergent on your car, why not wash it on the lawn. Kill two birds with one stone, as they say.
  7. Putting a layer of mulch around your trees and plants slows evaporation. Chunks of bark, peat moss and gravel also work well, and adds a great decorative look too.
  8. Outdoor planting should be done in the spring or fall when less watering is needed.
  9. Raise your lawn mower blades up one notch. Longer grass provides less evaporation. Plus makes for a healthier lawn.
  10. Use pool covers. This will not only help with evaporation but it will keep your pool cleaner which in return will need less chemicals.
  11. Dispose of hazardous materials properly. One quart of oil can contaminate 250,000 gallons of water.
  12. Sweep the driveway off instead of spraying it with water, you’ll also get some exercise while conserving water, cool huh.

If we all try to implement just a few of these water saving tips into our day in the yard we can not only help to conserve one very precious resource but also help in the fight to go green.

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