Water Conservation

Fall is the perfect time of year to plant bulbs, shrubs and grass to improve your lawn, but as communities struggle to meet the water demand, it is best to keep the sprinklers and hoses turned off. 

Simple steps you can take to protect your community’s drinking water resources include:

Everyday Things Virginians Can Do to Conserve Water:

1. Check your indoor water-using appliances and devices for leaks.  Even small leaks allow water and your money to go down the drain.
2. Another large water waster can be leaks in your irrigation system. Fix irrigation system leaks quickly and check for water in the gutters or mud puddles.
3. Water only when your plants need it.
   Most water is wasted in your garden by watering when your plants do not need the water or by not maintaining the irrigation system.
4. Use a broom to clean driveways and sidewalks.
   Sweeping paved areas rather than spraying them with a hose will get them clean without wasting gallons of water and washing organic matter and fertilizers into storm drain systems and waterways.
5. Don’t let the water run while washing your car.
   Get the car wet, then turn off the water while you wash the car down using a bucket of soapy water. Turn on the water again for a final rinse. Empty the bucket into a flower bed or garden area.
6. Simply taking shorter showers will save gallons of water.  Five minutes less can save up to 25 gallons -- in addition to energy savings.
7. Turn off the water while washing, brushing teeth, etc.  You can save three to seven gallons per minute.
8. Saving water is easy—many products are already available for use, and it doesn't require changing the way most of us live or do business. Visit www.epa.gov/watersense to learn more.

For more water conservation tips, visit http://www.awwa.org/waterwiser/.

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