A few simple tips can make a difference in how much water you use indoors and outdoors. (reference: DuPage Water Commission website, www.dpwc.org)

Water Saving Tips Around the Home

• Use a broom instead of a hose to clear debris from driveways, sidewalks, and patios.

• Wash a car with a bucket and sponge. Use a shut-off nozzle on your hose so water doesn't run while you are washing the car. A free- flowing hose uses up to 300 gallons of water each hour.

• Check for leaks. Look at pipes, hoses, faucets and couplings. Leaks waste a lot of water. Even a small leak in a garden hose may waste as much as 700 gallons per day.

• Save 3 gallons of water per minute by turning off the water when brushing your teeth, shaving, etc. National averages indicate that indoors, about 70 percent of our water is used in the bathroom.

• Check your toilet for leaks. Put a few drops of food coloring in your toilet tank. If the coloring appears in the toilet bowl without flushing, you have a wasteful leak that should be repaired at once. Even a small leak can waste thousands of gallons a month.

• Use your automatic washing machine for full loads only. It uses up to 60 gallons per load.

• Consider changing to water saving plumbing. Low flush toilets and low flow showerheads seem to be the biggest water savers.

Water Saving Tips for Gardens and Lawns

• Deep soak your lawn. Water about one inch once a week (twice if it's very hot for several days). Water infrequently, but thoroughly, so moisture soaks down to the roots. This creates deeper, healthier root systems that are more water-efficient and drought-tolerant.

• Water early in the morning or late in the evening to reduce evaporation. Avoid watering on windy days. Position sprinklers so water doesn't land on paved areas and run off into storm drains.

• Help soil hold water. Add organic materials such as compost or peat moss. Keep your lawn and garden weed-free. Weeds can rob plants of water and nutrients. Lay mulch three inches deep around trees and plants to retain moisture, slow evaporation, and discourage weed growth.

• Consider installing drip irrigation systems around trees and shrubs. These systems allow water to flow slowly to the roots, encouraging strong, deep root systems. Drip systems also reduce evaporation.

• If you don't have an automatic sprinkling system, use a kitchen timer or buy a sprinkler timer. You can waste a lot of water in a short time if you forget to turn off the sprinklers.

How much water are
you using at your
home?

Click on the water calculator to find out how much water YOU use every day. It may be more than you think!

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