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| The Water Conservation Guide |
By:
Richard Hackworth |
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Demand for water in our modern times keeps rising, as our population grows and our lifestyles continue to emphasize the use of water (for irrigating lush lawns, running dishwashers, filling swimming pools, etc.).
To Conserve Water and conserve cash follow these wise tips.
Water your lawn wisely
Waterwise landscaping tips and ideas
General outdoor conservation tips
Saving water inside your home
Detecting leaks
Leak facts
Watering your lawn wisely
Irrigation accounts for more than half of the country's total water consumption, so practicing water conservation in your yard is the best place to start. Remember: Over-watering is not only wasteful, it also promotes shallow root growth and makes your lawn more susceptible to insects and disease.
If you have an automatic sprinkler system, it's important to check the system regularly (once every month or two) for leaks and broken sprinkler heads, making repairs promptly. Also check for signs of broken or leaky sprinkler system pipes by looking for muddy or overgrown areas of turf.
Make sure your sprinkler system's timer/controller is operating correctly, as you've programmed it, so that it operates on the right days, at the right times, for the right durations. A variety of factors can result in a malfunctioning sprinkler system, including lightning strikes and failing timer batteries. Many homeowners don't realize their sprinkler systems are malfunctioning because the systems are programmed to operate overnight and they never observe them running.
To avoid wasting water, please follow these important irrigation guidelines:
Water only before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m. to minimize the amount of water lost to evaporation
Water just once a week in the cooler months, and twice a week in the warmer months (experts say this is enough to maintain healthy, green grass with a strong root system)
Water for just 30-45 minutes per session (½ inch to ¾ inch of water per zone)
Adjust the timer/controller on automatic sprinklers according to seasonal water demands and weather conditions
Turn off sprinklers when it's raining or install a rain shut-off device
Avoid watering on windy days
Adjust sprinklers so they water the lawn, not the pavement
Avoid sprinklers that spray a fine mist, which increases evaporation
Make sure plants are not blocking sprinklers
Irrigation systems should be zoned so plants with different water needs are irrigated separately (grass, for example, should be watered separately from shrubs and flowers)
Drip irrigation systems (which use less water than sprinklers) are recommended for trees, shrubs and flowers
General outdoor conservation tips
When washing your car with a hose, always use a spray nozzle to stop water flow between rinsings
Clean driveways and sidewalks with a broom instead of a hose
Check for leaks in outdoor faucets, pipes and hoses, repairing any leaks promptly
Cover your pool or spa to reduce evaporation
Check for pool/spa leaks, making repairs promptly
Saving water inside your home
Repair leaking faucets and toilets
Install water-saver flush valves in toilets
Install water-saver shower heads
Take short showers
Turn off the water while brushing your teeth or shaving
Wash only full loads in dishwasher and clothes washer
Recycle water rather than pouring it down the drain (For instance, used water from a fish tank is good for watering plants)
Don't flush the toilet just to get rid of trash
Use the garbage disposal sparingly
When you wash dishes by hand, fill up the sink with water and turn off the faucet
Detecting leaks
In a typical house, leaky toilets and faucets can waste hundreds of gallons of water each day, and that means unnecessary water and sewer charges. To help you identify and repair leaks, we offer you the following advice:
Make sure no water is running in the house and observe your water meter (If you see the meter's dial or triangle moving, you may have a leak somewhere).
Check toilets for silent leaks by putting a few drops of food coloring in the toilet tank after it has filled. If coloring shows up in the bowl without flushing, you probably have a leak in or around the flapper valve. (Leaky toilets can usually be repaired inexpensively by replacing the flapper mechanism).
Inspect the water level in the toilet tank. The correct water line is about a half-inch below the top of the overflow pipe. If it is higher, water is being wasted.
Check faucets in the bathroom, kitchen, laundry room and outside the house. (Worn washers are the biggest cause of faucet leaks.)
To find so-called "phantom leaks," such as those occurring in pipes behind walls, under floors or under foundations, homeowners may need to contact a leak detection company.
Always repair leaks promptly. If you can't make the repairs yourself, call a licensed plumbing contractor.
Leak facts
A 1/8-inch hole in a metal pipe, at 40 psi (pounds per square inch), leaks 2,500 gallons of water every 24 hours.
A leak the size of a pinhead can waste 360,000 gallons a year, enough to fill 12,000 bathtubs to the overflow mark.
A leaking toilet can use 90,000 gallons of water in 30 days.
A dripping faucet/hose bibb can lose up to 180 gallons a month, or 2,160 gallons per year.
About 1 in every 20 pools has a leak.
About 1 in every 318 homes or buildings has a leak.
A typical toilet leak at today's rate can add $500 to a single water bill.
One trip through a car wash uses 150 gallons of drinking water.
Collecting water for gardening from the faucet while waiting for hot water saves about 250 gallons of water a month.
Using a broom to clean the sidewalk instead of a hose saves 150 gallons of water.
Using a pool cover prevents about 1,000 gallons per month from evaporating.
Source for "Leak Facts": American Leak Detection
About the author: Richard Hackworth is a best selling author of "The Minimum Wage To Millionaire Course" and “Age Reversing Secrets To Look and Feel Younger”. He is an entrepreneur, and educator who is the host of “The Richard Hackworth Show” on www.ActionRadio.net and star of the “Turning Up The Heat!” and “Never Die” TV Shows. Join his free newsletter at www.RichardHackworth.com to get a ten part e-course “Ten Steps to Maximize Your Life” and $300 worth of surprise bonuses. |
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