Great Green Idea: Green Living: Water Conservation

Water Conservation

Did your mother ever tell you not to waste your water? If she did the earth's water supply would not be in danger today. However, since it is, we now must do our part to contribute to water conservation by being a part of the solution and not the problem. This doesn't mean building a dam in your neighborhood. Just put in a little effort to conserve water. As with any system of cutting back, you can start your water conservation journey right in your own home.

Your Own Backyard

Start in your own backyard and front yard for that matter. Allow the rain the water your yard. This will reduce the number of times you turn on the sprinklers. Follow your city's watering guidelines. During the late spring and summer months cities usually enforce water limits for the lawn. Guidelines vary by city but typically state that sprinklers can't be turned on until a certain hour of the day. You will do well to follow the watering guidelines. They contribute to you having a greener life and conserve thousands of gallons of water. When you do water your lawn don't let the sprinklers stay on forever and a day. Place them on a timer so that the lawn will be watered sufficiently but without unnecessary water waste. Check the inside and outside of the home for leaks. Look at your water bill and take note of high usage months. This could mean a leak has sprouted somewhere inside or outside the home.

Make Daily Reductions

During your daily routine you can look for ways to save water. You wash dishes everyday, right? When washing dishing by hand reduce the amount of dishwashing liquid you use to cut back on rinse water you will have to use. Reducing your rinse time can save about 100 gallons of water each month in dishwashing alone. Hand washing may not be your style however you can still save water if you prefer the dishwasher. Simply run the dishwasher only when it is full. Don't worry about maximum capacity on this one. Thousands of gallons of water will thank you. Use this same concept for washing clothes. Don't run the washer until is completely full. This is not to be confused with overfilling the dishwasher and washer but make sure it is completely full.

Disposal Matters

Improper disposal methods pollute the water supply. For this reason hazardous materials must be disposed of properly. When water is contaminated we can't you use it, in effect we lose it, which does not contribute to water conservation. It is also vital that you do not flush prescription medications. This too will contaminate water supply. Local cities and counties provide options and resources for proper waste disposal.