Conserving water saves resources, money

August 05, 2007

I know water use is much higher in the summer than at other times of the year. What are some ways to save water around my home?

Conservation efforts are important to help maintain a reliable water system, especially on hot summer days. And you'll save money, too.

This time of year, most water use occurs outside the home. Doug Quinn, director of water services for Clark Public Utilities, reports that water use on hot days is often three times normal levels. And that's true for other local water systems as well.

So how can you save water outside and get the most for the money you spend? Quinn offers these suggestions:

Water the lawn early in the morning or in the evening when evaporation is less likely to occur. Avoid watering in the heat of the day or when it is windy.

Water your lawn and plants only when needed, and only water as fast as the soil can absorb the moisture. Established lawns only need about an inch of water a week.

Watering in repeated, short intervals is best absorption.

Place a 2- to 4-inch layer of mulch around plants and trees to avoid excess evaporation.

Install a trickle or drip irrigation system for a slow, steady supply of water to the plant roots.

Consider using native plants in your landscaping. They require less care, and many don't require supplemental watering once they are established. For a list of native plants, visit the utility's Web site at clarkpublicutilities.com and search for "native plants" call us at 360-992-3000.

Make sure your sprinkler is watering your lawn and plants only, not the driveway, sidewalk or street.

Use a broom, not a hose, to clean driveways and sidewalks.

Use a hose with a shut-off nozzle when washing your car.

There are also a variety of ways to save on water used inside the house.

We often don't think about it, but when the water that's saved is hot, you're not only saving water, you also save the energy used to heat it. Water heating is the second largest user of energy in a typical Clark County home, after space heating.

Showers and baths account for about half of the hot water used in a typical home. Clothes washing can make up another quarter. These statistics can vary widely, depending on your family's habits. If you have youngsters who like to play in the dirt or teenagers who spend forever in the shower, you'll probably use more hot water than many other families. Washing clothes in cold water and using a low-flow shower head are two easy ways to deal with these two situations.

And while a hot bath can be very relaxing, you can save a lot of hot water by switching to a shower. A typical bathtub uses at least 50 gallons of hot water, which is the equivalent of four people each taking a five-minute shower with a low-flow shower head.

Beyond changing the ways you use water, it's important to make sure that all water systems are free of leaks. A faucet dripping one drip per second can leak 2,700 gallons per year.

Many leaks are caused by worn faucet washers. These leaks are easy to repair, even without plumbing experience. Local hardware, plumbing and home-improvement stores can provide the correct parts and do-it-yourself instructions.

Check the toilet tank for leaks. Add food coloring to the tank and let it sit for about 30 minutes. Color in the toilet means the tank flapper valve is leaking. Replacement parts are readily available, inexpensive and easily to install. Flush as soon as the test is done to prevent the dye from staining the tank or bowl.

Other ways to save water inside your home include running the dishwasher only when it's full and washing only full loads of laundry with the washer set with the proper water-level setting.

Water is a valuable resource, so it makes sense to use it wisely. You'll also save money, and that's always a good thing.