30 ways to conserve water at home

As humans, we need to be more connected to the things that sustain us. We turn on the tap and water comes out. We often don't consider where it comes from, but we should. The supply of fresh water is not endless. To sustain it, the rate of its withdrawal should not be higher than the rate of its natural replacement – recycling through evaporation and precipitation.

We can help sustain the world's fresh water supplies by learning to see water as a treasured resource and looking for ways to conserve it each and every day.
Water-saving tips for the homeowner

1) Energy-efficient shower heads are often also low in flow. The spray is finer, so they use less water. With less water, less energy is needed to heat it.

2) With low-flush toilets, you can save gallons of water in a day.

3) Recycle "grey water" or used water from the bathtub. This water is perfect to use when flushing the toilet. Keep a bucket tucked away under the bathroom sink. It's not always convenient, but even if you only do it once in a while, you'll be saving water. Simply fill the bucket with the "grey water" and empty it into the toilet. It will flush itself and the water in the tank will remain.

4) If you wash your dishes by hand, wash them in a small plastic basin placed in the sink, rather than filling the sink full with water. Wash one dish at at time and use another small basin to rinse before placing on the drying rack.

5) If you use a dishwasher, consider purchasing a water-saving model. Most new models are being made with this concept in mind.

6) Rather than rinsing your vegetables under the tap and letting the water run over them, fill a small clean basin with water and rinse them in that. Try to avoid running water unecessarily.

7) Fill a pitcher with water and keep it cold in the refrigerator rather than running the tap until the water turns cold.

8) Check regularily for leaky pipes, taps that drip and toilets that leaks or runs on. It's important to maintain them.

9) Take shorter showers in the morning. Five minutes is generally enough. Use a low- flow or aerating showerhead.

10) Use faucet aerators on all the taps in your home. The water for your bath, shower or sink use will maintain its effectiveness and still produce less water through the taps.

11) Don't leave the tap water running while you brush your teeth, wash your face or shave. Run the water only when you need it.

12) Washing machines should be water-saving models and it's advisable to use full loads rather than a few items. Take full advantage of the water usage and the energy consumed.
Water-Saving Tips for the Garden

15) If you have a swimming pool, consider covering it when it's not in use. This will cut down on evaporation and you'll have to top it up less often. Check the equipment used for your pool to ensure there are no water leaks.

16) Add more drought-tolerant plants to your garden. You could make a special garden just for these plants and you'll seldom have to water that area.

17) Consider adding more trees to your garden with a view to attaining dappled shade. You'll have a cooler environment with less evaporation.

18) Get to know the eco-systems in the different areas of your garden and fill those areas with plants that suit that particular environment. Plants that grow best in a moist soil should be planted in low-lying areas. Plants that are drought-tolerant should be planted high and dry.

19) Add hardscapes to your property like pathways and patios. This will lesson the amount of water you need for the lawn and garden.

20) When watering, water the soil, not the leaves. If you water above the plant, it will evaporate before it has a chance to sink down to the roots of the plant.

21) Add peatmoss to the soil. Peat moss holds water and keeps the soil moist longer. Use a thick layer of mulch to shade the soil and keep the precious moisture from evaporating in the hot sun.

22) Let your grass grow a little longer and the roots in turn will grow longer. The longer root will find the moisture low down beneath the surface.

23) Consider purchasing a rain barrel. The water pouring into rain barrels is perfect for the quick watering of transplants, container plants and window boxes. You won't need the hose. Keep a lid on the barrel when not in use to keep away mosquitoes.

24) If the rain barrel doen't hold enough water for your needs, consider purchasing a water tank. Some tanks will hold 100's of gallons of water and may be worth it if you have a large garden. You can hide the tank behind the shed and plant fast-growing vines around it. With the constant freezing and thawing through the winter and into spring, there's a lot of run-off from roofs. The run-off can be directed into those tanks, so much so, they will fill up quickly and this should be enough water for summer use in the garden. This is especially useful if your water comes from your own well.

25) Weed your lawn and garden regularily. Weeds grow quickly and are heavy drinkers, competing with the other plants around them.

26) If you use sprinklers, look for efficiency and make sure they are placed so the water is not running into the street, driveway or onto sidewalks.

27) There was a time when people used to wash their driveway down with a hose. If you are among the few that still do that, consider using a broom to sweep it or even a leaf blower.

28) Shallow waterings do little to feed the plants. The water has to penetrate deep into the soil, otherwise it's wasted. You'll only have to water again sooner.

29) If you water the lawn and garden in the heat of the day, it will evaporate quickly and have little chance of reaching those roots. The best time is early evening or early morning.

30) Maintain your garden hose and nozzle. Hoses can leak and crack. When you're finished with the hose, turn the water off at the main as well as the outdoor tap. -ecowisdom.com