INDOOR & OUTDOOR RESIDENTIAL WATER
CONSERVATION CHECKLIST Outdoor water conservation
Tere are many ways to conserve significant amounts of water inside and outside the home, and doing so makes sense because it lowers water and sewer bills, extends the water supply and helps the environment. Homeowners can take many simple steps to help preserve this precious renewal resource.
Your water-delivery system Effective water conservation requires awareness, involvement and education. To understand your water-delivery system, know the following information:
Te name and location of the company that provides your water, as well as contact information for the company’s chief executive and public education/public relations officials.
Who the water-policy decision-makers are in your municipality or area, how they are selected (elected or appointed) and the length of their terms of office.
How water-use policies and rates are set and modified, including names and contact information for officials.
When and where announcements of public water-policy meetings are published (newspapers) or posted (office and/or Web sites).
Te source(s) of water used within the system (e.g. lakes, streams, groundwater or aquifer) and how to track stability and quality of supply.
Te water supplier’s long-term and short-term contingency plans to ensure availability.
Te water supplier’s contingency plans in case of supply shortage or interruption due to an act of nature (e.g. flood or drought) or mechanical failure of the piping, pumping or filtration system.
Te rate structure for residential, commercial or industrial water use, with possible seasonal modifications. (Note: Water-use billings may or may not include sewage-treatment fees, or they may be linked to potable water volume.)
Te location of the on-site water meter and how to read it and calculate the quantity of water used between readings.
Indoor water conservation
Repair all water leaks immediately and be especially alert for leaks in toilets and faucets.
Install and maintain ultra-low flow toilets. Alternatively, convert existing toilets to low-flow units with a tank dam or even bricks.
Install and maintain flow restrictors (aerators) on faucets. Install and maintain low-flow showerheads. Limit showering time to 5 minutes. Do not use toilets as waste baskets or ashtrays. Turn off water when shaving and brushing teeth. Scrape food off dishes without water prior to rinsing. Operate dishwasher only when it is fully loaded. Operate clothes washer only when it is loaded to maximum capacity.
Rather than run the tap for cool drinking water, keep a filled container in the refrigerator.
While waiting for running water to warm or cool for use on plants or in cleaning, capture flow for other uses.
TPI Turf News January/February 2017
Cover pools, spas and other water features when not in use to minimize evaporation.
Clean sidewalks, driveways and patios by sweeping rather than by spraying with a hose.
Wash car(s) with a bucket of water rather than a running hose. If possible, drive your vehicle onto the lawn so that all the water can be absorbed into the landscape.
Restrict or eliminate use of hose-end water toys. If possible, combine use of water for play with landscape needs.
Properly prune or trim trees, shrubs and other woody plants to maximize the plants’ health and minimize invasion by pests.
Frequently remove dead or dying plants and all weeds that compete for available water.
Apply fertilizers or pesticides at minimal levels, timed to specific needs of the plants.
Maintain sharp blades on pruning shears and lawn mowers.
Aerate lawn and cultivate planting beds periodically to decrease compaction and improve penetration of water, air and nutrients into root zones.
Mulch flower and garden areas as well as tree and shrub bases as appropriate for each species.
“Harvest” water from rainfall/snowmelt for landscape irrigation purposes.
Use recycled or non-potable water to the greatest extent possible, as limited by supply and/or regulation.
Employ a certified landscape-irrigation auditor at least once every five years to conduct a thorough and comprehensive check for efficiency of water application.
At least once a year, confirm that all irrigation systems are distributing water uniformly and inspect, repair and/or adjust in- ground or drip watering systems.
Use water timers or flow meters for hose-end watering to ensure proper amounts are applied.
Immediately shut off irrigation system(s) and adjust whenever irrigation water falls or runs onto hard surfaces such as sidewalks, streets or driveways.
Repair all water leaks as soon as detected. (Tis includes leaking hose couplings, hose bib leaks and similar connections.)
When buying plants, select those that have scientifically documented low water requirements.
Determine specific water requirements for all existing landscape plants.
Adjust controllers for in-ground or drip watering systems according to seasonal needs of plants.
Water landscape plants only when necessary according to needs of each plant type or based on local ET (evapotranspiration) rates.
Water early in the morning when temperatures and winds are at their lowest levels to reduce evaporation.
Water all plants deeply but infrequently to encourage deeper, healthier rooting
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