During a drought, it is important to conserve as much water as possible. Making small changes in our daily routines can go a long way. There are also other things we can do to help reduce the impact of a drought. Watch to learn more about what you should do. More information for residents are available from the Connecticut Institute of Water Resources.
water conservation
Water Conservation Tips
We’re having a dry summer in Connecticut. There are many simple steps for you to conserve water at home, including:
- Taking shorter showers
- Running dishwashers and laundry machines with full loads
- Shutting off water while washing dishes, shaving, brushing teeth, and lathering up to wash hands, rather than running the water continuously
- Avoid washing vehicles, or power-washing homes and other buildings
- Not using water to clean sidewalks, driveways, and roads
- Reducing as much as possible the watering of lawns, recreational and athletic fields, gardens, or other landscape areas
- Not using public water to fill residential pools
- Promptly repairing any leaks
10 Water Conservation Tips
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.
UConn Extension has these ten tips for your lawn and garden.
- 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.
- In the warmer months, raise the thermostat on air conditioners when no one will be in the space for several hours.