
Even with yesterday’s rain, it will take a while for water levels to catch up. There are many small steps we can all take to conserve water in our homes.
- Take shorter showers
- Run dishwashers and washing machines with full loads
- Use water only as needed when washing dishes, shaving, and brushing teeth.
- Fix leaky faucets – a leaky faucet can waste 20 gallons or more per day. Verify your home is leak free by checking your water meter before and after a one-hour period when no water is being used. If the reading on the meter isn’t exactly the same, there is a leak somewhere.
- Install a displacement device in the toilet tank; it will cut down on the amount of water needed per flush.
- Don’t wash cars, driveways, sidewalks or other areas that can wait until water levels are restored. Avoid power washing buildings as well. Use a broom and dustpan to clean sidewalks, decks and porches when possible.
- Consider adding a rain garden to your landscape. Watch this webinar for more information.
- As you replace appliances (toilets, dishwasher, and washing machine), make energy efficient choices.
- Have a water-wise lawn and garden. UConn Extension has these ten tips for your lawn and garden.
- In the warmer months, raise the thermostat on air conditioners when no one will be in the space for several hours.