Every Little Drop Counts!

More Drought Tips

Can we ever have enough? NO!

Stricter regulations will take place July 1 for our area.

1st offense: warning

2nd offense: fine

3rd offense: your water will be shut off

Those of us going through this are scared, very scared.

Water has become top priority.

Our farmers are leaving a lot of their fields fallow

due to the cut backs of their water allotment.

Food prices will rise since our rich fertile land "feeds"

people all across the United States.

People who have wells are praying they don't run out of water.

Those of us in town are being very water wise.

Some counties have employed a bounty program.

You can turn in a water waster and your name will go into a drawing with a cash prize.

Serious, very serious.

So I've researched more ways to save water to share with you

and educate myself on more ways also.

Some are obvious, some our home has done for some time.

But we can always learn more.

Unfortunately, I'm not in a place where I can go out

and purchase new energy/water efficient appliances.

But at least they aren't very old, so that helps some.



In the Kitchen

1. Don’t use running water to thaw food. Defrost food in the refrigerator.
2. Keep a pitcher of drinking water in the refrigerator instead of running the tap.
3. If you accidentally drop ice cubes, don’t throw them in the sink. Drop them in a house plant instead.
4. Use the garbage disposal sparingly. Instead, compost vegetable food waste and save gallons every time
5. Select the proper pan size for cooking. Large pans may require more cooking water than necessary
6. Soak pots and pans instead of letting the water run while you scrape them clean
7. Wash your fruits and vegetables in a pan of water instead of running water from the tap
8. When washing dishes by hand, don’t let the water run. Fill one basin, with wash water and the other with rinse water. Or better yet  containers, so you can use the water to give your plants when done.
9. Run the dishwasher only when there is a full load. Or better yet, use paper plates. When done, toss paper plates into compost pile.
10. Use gray water to water plants. This is a biggie! Even with a water softener I've been using our gray water. The plants seem to be doing fine. Once a month I water to leach out the salts.

In the Bathroom

1. Turn water off when brushing teeth or shaving. Save: Approximately 10 Gallons/Day
2. When washing your hands, turn the water off while you lather.
3. Install low-flow showerheads. Save: 2.5 Gallons
4. Take five-minute showers instead of 10 minute showers.
Save: 12.5 gallons with a low flow showerhead, 25 gallons with a standard 5.0 gallon per minute showerhead.
5. Put a bucket in the shower with you to catch spare water. Use to water plants
6. Turn off the water while washing your hair. Save: Up to 150 gallons a month
7. Washing dark clothes in cold water saves water and energy, and helps your clothes retain their color.
8. Use the washing machine for full loads only to save water and energy.

Outside/Garden

1. Water early in the morning or later in the evening when temperatures are cooler. Save: 25 gallons/each time you water
2. Invest in a water broom which attaches to your hose but uses a combination of air and water pressure to aid cleaning. Water brooms can use as little as 2.8 gallons per minute (gpm) to remove dirt, food spills, leaves, and litter from concrete and asphalt while a standard hose typically uses 5 to 20 gpm.
3. Water deeply but less frequently to create healthier and stronger landscapes.
4. Don’t overwater – learn more about evapotranspiration (ET) to understand how much water your landscaping really needs.
5. Choose a water-efficient irrigation system such as drip irrigation for your trees, shrubs, and flowers. Remember to turn it off when it rains. Save: 15 gallons/each time you water
6. Check your sprinkler system frequently and adjust sprinklers so only your lawn is watered and not the house, sidewalk, or street.  Save: 15-12 gallons/each time you water
7. Use a broom to clean driveways, sidewalks and patios.
Save: 8-18 gallons /minute
8. Plant drought-resistant trees and plants. Save: 30- 60 gallons/each time you water/1,000 sq. ft.
9. Put a layer of mulch around trees and plants to reduce evaporation and keep the soil cool. Organic mulch also improves the soil and prevents weeds. Save: 20-30 gallons/each time you water/1,000 sq. ft.

Let's all do our part to make it through this devastating drought!

US Drought Monitor