Conserve to Get Ahead of the Curve: Winter Water Savings Tips

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Even though it is winter and you are probably not using water as much as in the warmer months, you should still make an effort to conserve water. We have put together a list of free and inexpensive tips to help conserve water and save money throughout the winter and beyond.

Inside

  • Fix Leaks! The average household leak can waste 10,000 gallons of water a year. Call your plumber right away to fix any leaks in and around your home.
  • Protect your pipes. Find out how in our information sheet on Freeze Protection.
  • When in doubt drip your faucets. Leave faucets dripping slightly overnight in extremely cold weather (below 32°). This slight trickle allows constant movement of the water which will prevent freezing. Remember more water is wasted from a leaky pipe than from using this tip! You can still save the water you are dripping…just place a bucket or large pot under the faucet. You can use that water to flush the toilet in a power outage or water plants.
  • Mark and remember where your home’s shut-off valve is. Knowing where this valve is during a water pipe burst can prevent flooding or water damage.
  • Check your toilet. If it’s old, replace it with a more efficient low flow toilet. You can save five gallons per flush.
  • Save at the sink. Leave the water off when you are brushing your teeth or shaving at the bathroom sink. Leaving the sink running can waste thousands of gallons of water each day. This may be a hard habit to break, but it is an easy way to save water. Likewise in the kitchen! Fill one sink with wash water and the other with rinse water instead of letting the faucet run. Soak pots and pans before washing and use less detergent so you don’t rinse as much.
  • Install water-efficient faucets throughout the house. There are numerous water-saving devices on the market. Look for WaterSense products to make your home conservation friendly.
  • Wash a full load. Washing machines and dishwashers can use a lot of water for each load. Make sure you are only using these appliances with a full load or remember to set your washing machine to the specific load size if it can be adjusted.
  • Change the fridge filter. Water filters in your refrigerator should be changed every 6 months or as recommended by the manufacturer. It is also extremely important to change your whole house water filters and maintain any other treatment devices if you have them.

Outside

  • Winterize your irrigation system. Cooler weather and seasonal precipitation make it possible to stop irrigation in the winter. Only potted plants and other winter annuals need occasional watering. For information on winterizing your irrigation system contact your irrigation company and read our information sheet.
  • Winter is the perfect time to modify or make plans to modify your landscape to use less water. Consider low-water gardens that attract wildlife, such as butterflies or birds, or try native plants.
  • Avoid watering in the evening. Fungal problems are more likely if plants are wet all night during cooler months.
  • Put any soaker hoses and sprinklers away for the next few months.
  • Lawns need very little irrigation in the winter. At the most, apply ½ inch of water every three weeks if there is no rain.
  • Use organic mulch around winter plants and trees.
  • Use a carwash to wash vehicles. If you hand wash your car, use a bucket and a spray nozzle.

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