Posted: Friday, July 7, 2006 7:00 pm
Hot dry summers are common in Nebraska. Each year at this time we hear the need for water conservation. This can be done by following some simple steps in our daily routines and checking our homes.
Some water saving tips:
* Check and repair leaky toilets, faucets and pipes.
* Turn off faucets tightly after use.
* Shut water off when brushing teeth and shaving.
* Wash only full loads of clothes and change the load setting according to load size.
* Avoid unnecessary rinsing of dishes put into the dishwasher. Instead, scrape dishes, if necessary.
* Run dishwasher only when full.
* Keep a container of water in the refrigerator instead of running water at the tap to get it cold.
* Keep showers under 5 minutes in length.
* Use water used to rinse produce to water plants.
* Reduce the use of the garbage disposal, use the trash or compost.
* Select proper-sized pans for cooking.
* When buying new appliances, select models that use less water.
* Install water saving shower heads or flow restrictors.
* Use a broom, rather than a hose to clean.
* Use a bucket of water when washing the car. Use a hose with a shut-off nozzle for final rinsing.
* Water lawns in the early morning or evening to avoid evaporation.
* Don’t water sidewalks, driveways or gutters.
* Insulate hot water pipes for immediate hot water at the faucet.
Trying these tips can save you gallons of water each day. Four to 10 gallons of water can be saved each day by just turning of the water when shaving or brushing your teeth.
Leaky faucets waste hundreds of gallons of water weekly. Do a water audit of your home and see how much water is going down the drain unnecessarily. Think about how your family can save water by changing very simple habits each day.
Remember every “drip” counts.
Lorene Bartos is an extension educator for Lancaster County with the University of Nebraska. She can be reached by phone at (402) 471-9823; by mail at 444 Cherrycreek Rd., Lincoln, NE 68525; and by e-mail lbartos1@unl.edu.