Make Simple Changes 

The truth is, clean, safe water is a privileged resource and something we often take for granted; especially in the heat of the summer with long, cool showers to frequent lawn watering. Making some simple changes can help you not only conserve water, but maybe even save you a few extra bucks on your next monthly bill.

Here’s a few ways to get started:

1. Test for Leaks

Even the smallest leak, if left unnoticed can waste gallons of water and cause your monthly bill to increase. Testing for small leaks is so easy you can get the kids on board to help! To start, place a few drops of food coloring in the back of your toilet tank. If after 10 or so minutes the color appears in your bowl, you have a leak. You can also stop by Aquatera and pick up some die tablets to do this as well! A second way to check is by simply recording your water meter reading in the late evening, and then again early in the morning. If there is a big difference in readings, you may have a leak.

2. Take Shorter Showers

Hey, we totally get it. Everyone loves to sit and bask in the glory of a nice cool shower on a hot summer day. But, let’s say you take that 20 minute shower – which hammers out two gallons of water per minute – and cut it down to 12 minutes. You are saving yourself sixteen gallons of water per shower…that’s a total of 5,840 gallons per year. Whoa.

3. Run Full Loads Only

Dishwashers and washing machines should be fully loaded to maximize water conservation. Did you know that even using the “Permanent Press” cycle on your washing machine can add up to five gallons of water for that extra rinse?

4. Only Water When Needed

Most lawns only need about 1 inch of water a week. That’s it. A good way to test if your lawn needs watering at all is to step on it. If it bounces back when you move your foot… no water necessary. Also, letting your grass grow a little taller will actually promote water retention in the soil. Who knew

5. Think at the Sink

Whether it’s prepping your veggies for that yummy summer salad, or rinsing some fruit for the kids to munch on, cleaning fruits and vegetables in a partially filled sink rather than a continuously running tap can save you tons of water. This goes for hand-washing those quick few dishes after you eat as well!

With just a few small changes, we can all have a part in making the most of our water!