Energy & Water Conservation: Water Conservation Checklist for the Home

Showing posts with label Water Conservation Checklist for the Home. Show all posts

Sunday, July 10, 2011

Water Conservation Checklist for the Home

Water Conservation Checklist for the Home
Have
Done
Will
Do

Inspect the plumbing system to see that there are no leaks.

Install reduced-flow showerheads (2.5 gallons/minute).

Limit the amount of shower water by the way you use the controls for the hot and cold water faucets, or a mixer faucet.

Turn off all water if you are going to be away from home on a vacation or trip. This keeps children from turning on outside faucets while you are away.

Check to see how often your home water softening equipment regenerates and backwashes. It can use as much as 100 gallons of water each time it does this. You may want to cut down on the use of such equipment. Reserve softened water for kitchen use, bathing, and laundry. Use unsoftened water for all other purposes. (This may require a bypass line but this is advisable under all circumstances).

Insulate hot water pipes. Having to clear the “hot” line of cooled water is wasteful.

Install a circulating hot water system.

Check all faucets, inside and out, for drips. Make repairs promptly. These problems get worse—never better.

Teach children to turn water faucets off quickly and tightly after each use.

A toilet leak can waste lots of water. Put a small amount of food coloring into the tank. If the color trickles into the bowl, there is a leak and repairs are needed.

Replace existing toilets with 1.6 gallons/flush toilets.

Water required to flush some older 3.5 to 7 gallons/flush toilet can be reduced. Experiment by placing a quart plastic (not glass) bottle filled with water in the flush tank to save 1 quart of water per flush. (Don’t use a brick to fill space in your toilet flush tank. Particles from the brick could damage the valve.)

Or, adjust the float level of the toilet to reduce the amount of water necessary to flush the toilet. Do this carefully to avoid damaging the system. Try only a slight adjustment.

Never use the toilet as a trash basket for facial tissues, etc.

Emergency Situations:
When the toilet needs flushing, use gray water saved from cleaning, bathing, etc. Put the water in the toilet bowl—not the flush tank. If the system loses pressure, gray water, if placed in the tank, could back-siphon into the system and contaminate the drinking water.

Have
Done
Will
Do

Wait until you have a full load before washing items, or use a lower water level setting.

Replace 40 gallon/load washer with an Energy Star® that uses 18 to 25 gallons/load.

Check garments to make sure they need washing. Don’t wash clothes more often than necessary.

Encourage children to change into play-clothes after school so that school- and play-clothes can be worn several times.

Buy clothing and household items that do not require separate washing.

Emergency Situations:
Siphon gray water from your washing machine into a laundry tub or other container for cleaning, to flush the toilet, or water plants. (See directions for using gray water on plants.) Use the gray water as soon as possible. Do not store longer than 24 hours.

Have
Done
Will
Do

Urge family members to take 4 minute showers instead of tub baths. Showers—especially those fitted with flow restrictors or low-volume heads—usually use less water than a bath.

Cut down on the number of showers taken. Replace some of them with sponge baths using a small amount of water in a basin.

Seek other ways to relax besides staying in the shower for long periods of time.

Turn off shower water while you apply soap to body, or lather hair and massage scalp. Install shut-off valve to stop flow without affecting temperature.

Turn off water while you shave, brush teeth, etc.

Emergency Situations:
Close bathtub drain during shower so that the water stays in the tub. Use this to flush the toilet or water outdoor plants.

Have
Done
Will
Do

Use a pan of water when peeling and cleaning vegetables and fruits rather than letting the sink tap run.

To get warm water, turn hot water on first; then add cold water as needed. You get warm water quicker this way and save water, too.

Limit use of a garbage disposal. Save food scraps and run the disposal once to conserve water. You can use the disposal even less by saving food scraps for a compost pile.

Use the smallest amount of water necessary to cook foods such as frozen vegetables and stews. You’ll preserve nutrients as well as save water.

A tight-fitting lid on a pan saves water from boiling away and also cooks food faster, thereby using less energy.

Plan for one-dish meals in which vegetables are cooked or baked without adding water.

Use a tea kettle or covered pan to heat water and avoid loss of water through evaporation.

Time foods during the cooking process to avoid over cooking and loss of liquids through evaporation.

Select the proper size pans for cooking. Large pans require more cooking water.

Use a pressure cooker to save water, energy, and time.

A bottle of drinking water kept cold in your refrigerator saves running the tap to get cold water.

Save leftover vegetable juices for soups, cooking raw or frozen vegetables, stews, and making gravy. Refrigerate and use juices within a day or two.

Using syrups and juices from canned goods saves water and makes foods taste better. Use leftover fruit juices for drinking and making gelatin salads.

Food Preparation Emergency Situation:
If a water shortage seems likely, store water in clean plastic or glass jugs with tight-fitting lids. Keep in the refrigerator and use sparingly.

Have
Done
Will
Do

Cut down on the number of utensils used in food preparation and on the plates and glassware used with meals. This will save on dishwashing used to clean them.

Wash only full loads of dishes in dishwasher. A dishwasher uses about 9 to 13 gallons of water per cycle.

Avoid unnecessary rinsing of dishes that go into the dishwasher for immediate washing. Scrape if necessary.

When washing dishes by hand, use one pan of soapy water for washing and a second pan of hot water for rinsing. Rinsing in a pan requires less water than rinsing under a running faucet.

Have
Done
Will
Do

Chill water in bottles in the refrigerator to avoid running excess water from the lines to get cold water for meals. Shake bottle before serving to incorporate air the water so that it doesn’t taste flat.

Put drinking water on the table only if people really drink it.

Have
Done
Will
Do

Use rinse water—gray water—saved from bathing or clothes washing to water indoor plants. Do not use soapy water on indoor plants. It could damage them.

Water indoor plants only when needed. Too much water can damage plants.

Use water from dehumidifier to water plants.

Have
Done
Will
Do

Car washing, if you use the hose down method, can use a lot of water. You may have to lower your standards and wash the car less often.

Use a bucket of warm sudsy water to remove soil from the car. Hose down only as a final rinse.

Take advantage of a soft summer rain to wash your car. Get out there with soap and sponge! Children will enjoy this.

If water supply allows use of an outdoor pool, cover the pool when it is not being used to prevent evaporation.

Clean the swimming pool filter often. You will not have to replace the water as often.

Use a broom, not the hose, to “sweep” the garage, sidewalks, and the driveway.

Have
Done
Will
Do

Plan landscaping and gardening to minimize watering requirements.

Use native and low water-use plants and turf.

Vegetables requiring more water should be grouped together in the garden to make efficient use of water applications.

Mulch shrubs and other plants to retain moisture in the soil longer. Spread leaves, lawn clippings, chopped bark or cobs, or plastic around the plants. Mulching also controls weeds that compete with garden plants for water. Mulches should permit water to soak into the soil.

Try trickle or drip irrigation systems in outdoor gardens. These methods use 25 to 50 percent less water than hose or sprinkler methods. The tube for the trickle system has many tiny holes to water closely-spaced plants. Drip system tubing contains holes or openings at strategic places for tomatoes and other plants that are more widely spaced.

Irrigate with the proper amount and only when necessary. Understand different water requirements of “zones” in your landscape, and check automatic sprinkler or drip irrigation systems periodically to ensure plants are receiving the water they need without being overwatered.

If you are using a garden hose or sprinkler, water the garden thoroughly, but less frequently. Don’t let water run down driveway or street.

Lawns should be watered during hours when the water system experiences the least demand—avoid watering when windy or in heat of day and keep track of the time. Set an alarm clock or timer as a reminder. A sprinkler left on overtime in one spot wastes water.

Less frequent but heavier lawn watering encourages a deeper root system to withstand dry weather better.

Collect rain water in a barrel and use it to water your garden (please note, this is not a legal practice in all areas).

Avoid planting turf in areas that are difficult to irrigate properly such as steep inclines and isolated strips along sidewalks and driveways.

Aerate clay soils at least once a year to help the soil absorb and retain moisture.

Use porous materials for walkways and patios to keep water in your yard and prevent wasteful runoff.

Emergency Situations:
If water is rationed or otherwise restricted, lawns should receive the lowest priority for outside watering. Water trees and shrubs which die more quickly without it and are more expensive to replace.

Soapy water is generally okay for use on outdoor plants. Do not use water that contains bleach or borax on plants. It could damage them. Rinse water from laundry can be used on outdoor or indoor plants.

When Selecting New Equipment:

Have
Done
Will
Do

Install and use low-volume showerheads.

Select a dishwasher and clothes washer based in part on water requirements and with options for water levels. Consider a suds-saver to reuse water.

Select water-saving toilets. In areas where severe water problems exist, bioconversion toilets may be an answer.

Smaller than standard bath tubs may meet your needs and save water.

Select a water heater sized for family needs, and insulated to prevent heat loss.

Select the most effective type of watering hose for your needs—soaker hose or drip irrigation, if appropriate.

Locate water heater near area where hottest water is needed, usually in the kitchen/laundry area.

If remodeling or building, locate the hot water heater as close as possible to bathroom, kitchen, and laundry areas. The closer to the faucet the heater is, the less water has to be run through pipes.

For this reason, it is sometimes better to have two smaller water heaters: one located in the kitchen area, and one in the bathroom area when the distances between the two areas are great.

Plan landscaping and gardening to minimize watering requirements.

Water Conservation Checklist for the Home

How much water do you use in a day? A gallon? Ten gallons? Few people know how much they use. The amount is likely to be 60 gallons per person per day. This figure has tripled since 1900!
Imagine what it would be like to turn on the tap and find nothing there. People in some parts of the country know this can happen. They are learning how to conserve water. They know that water is a limited resource.
Now, water shortages are a local or regional problem. But in recent years all parts of Montana have experienced drought problems. It is wise to learn now how to conserve nature's precious supply of fresh water.
This checklist is designed to help you see how effectively you are using water, and to alert you to ways to save it. While many of the steps may seem extreme - give a moment's thought to what extreme actions you would have to take if your water supply was curtailed.
Use, Gallons Used per Day
1. Dishwashing, 15
2. Cooking, drinking 12
3. Utility sink (washing hands, etc.), 5
4. Laundry, 35
5. Bathing, 80
6. Bathroom sink, 8
7. Toilet, 100
TOTAL 255

As you read this list, think about the steps you have already taken to conserve water. Note what you still need to do to become a better manager of water resources. PLUMBING

Install flow control devices in showers.
Or, limit the amount of shower water by the way you use hot and cold water faucets.

Cut off all water if you are going to be away from home on a vacation or trip. This keeps children from turning on outside faucets while you are away.

Check to see how often your home water softening equipment regenerates and backwashes. It can use as much as 100 gallons of water each time it does this. You may want to cut down on the use of such equipment. Reserve softened water for kitchen use, bathing and laundry. Use unsoftened water for all other purposes. This may require a bypass line but this is advisable under any circumstances.

Insulate hot water pipes to reduce the amount of water that must be run to get hot water to the faucet.

If possible, locate the hot water heater as close as possible to bathroom, kitchen and laundry areas. The closer the heater is to the faucet, the less water has to be run. For this reason, it's sometimes better to have two small water heaters located in strategic places.

Check faucets for drips. Make repairs promptly. These problems get worse--never better. (See Extension Publication EB 16, "Home Fitness," for repair details)

Teach children to turn water faucets off tightly after use.

See if your toilet continues to flow after flushing. Put a small amount of food coloring into the tank. If the color trickles into the bowl, there is a leak and repairs are needed. (See Extension Publication EB 16, "Home Fitness," for repair details.)

Place a quart plastic (not glass) bottle filled with water in your toilet flush tank to save 1 quart of water per flush.

Don't use a brick to till space in your toilet flush tank. Brick particles could damage valves.

You can adjust the float level of the toilet to reduce the amount of water necessary to flush the toilet. Do this carefully to avoid damaging the system.

In buying a new toilet, look for a "low volume" model. They don't use as much water per flush.

Use "gray" water (saved from cleaning, bathing) to flush the toilet. Note: Put the "gray" water into the bowl--not the flush tank--when it needs flushing. Otherwise, if the system loses pressure, "gray" water in the tank could back-siphon and get into your drinking water system.

Avoid using the toilet as a trash basket for facial tissues and similar items. Each flush uses 5 to 7 gallons of water.

LAUNDRY

Wash only full loads of laundry.

Buying a new washing machine? An automatic clothes washer uses 32-45 gallons of water per load. Shop carefully and look for these features:
Use the "gray" water that siphons from your washing machine into a laundry tub for cleaning, to flush the toilet, or water plants. See directions for using "gray" water on plants. Use all "gray" water as soon as possible. Do not store longer than 24 hours.

Save handwashing jobs and do them all together. If possible, use the same sudsy water for several items. Make one rinse do the job of two.

Check garments to make sure they need washing. Don't wash clothes more often than necessary.

Avoid buying new clothes that require separate washings.

PERSONAL CARE

Urge family members to take showers instead of tub baths. Baths take as much as 30-50 gallons of water. Showers use 5-15 gallons of water per minute.

Cut down on the number of showers taken. Replace some of them with sponge baths using a small amount of water in a basin.

Limit shower time to 2 minutes or less.

Relax with massage, stretching, or exercises instead of showers to save water.

Turn off shower water while you apply soap to body or lather hair.

If possible, close bathtub drain during shower so that all the water stays in the tub. Use this to flush the toilet or water outdoor plants.

Turn off water while you shave, brush teeth, etc.

Encourage children to change into play clothes after school so that school and play clothes can be worn several times.

FOOD PREPARATION

Save water used to wash produce and to do other kitchen chores by placing a bowl or basin under the faucet. Use water saved for cleaning, watering plants, and similar chores.

To get warm water, turn hot water on first; then add cold water as needed. You get warm water quicker this way and save water.

Reduce the use of garbage disposals--which use as much as 2 gallons of water per minute--by peeling vegetables, eggs and other foods on newspapers. Wrap the food waste and dispose of it with the trash. Or, use food waste in a garden compost pile.

Use only the amount of water necessary to cook foods such as frozen vegetables and stews. You'll preserve nutritional value as well as save water.

Cook foods over low heat in pans with tightly fitted lids to reduce evaporation of liquid.

Plan more one-dish casserole meals in which vegetables are cooked without adding cooking water.

Use a tea kettle to heat water and avoid loss of water through evaporation.

Time foods that must boil so that too much evaporation does not take place.

Select the proper size pans for cooking. Pans that are too large require more cooking water.

Use a pressure cooker to save time and water.

If possible, cover or wrap foods in aluminum foil during baking or roasting to cut down on the evaporation of liquid.

Save leftover vegetable juices for reconstituting soups, cooking raw or frozen vegetables and stews, and making gravy. Use within a day or two.

Use leftover fruit juices for drinking and making gelatin salads.

Store drinking and meal preparation water for a short period of time, 24 hours or less, if an emergency water shortage seems likely. Use clean plastic or glass jugs with tight fitting lids. Keep in the refrigerator.

Chill water in bottles in the refrigerator to avoid running water. Shake bottle before serving to incorporate air in the water so that it doesn't taste flat.

Put drinking water on the table only if people really drink it.

DISHWASHING

Cut down on the number of utensils used in preparing food, and on the plates and glassware used with meals. This will save on dishwashing.

Wash only full loads of dishes in dishwasher. A dishwasher uses about 14 gallons of water per load.

Avoid unnecessary rinsing of dishes that go into the dishwasher. Scrape if necessary.

If washing dishes by hand, use one pan of soapy water for washing and a second pan of hot water for rinsing. Wash least dirty dishes first.

HOUSEHOLD CLEANING

Wipe up small spills as they occur to avoid frequent mopping of floors.

Regularly vacuum carpets and rugs so you won't need to shampoo them too often. Take care of spots as they occur.

"Collect" household cleaning chores. Do them together to save water.

HOUSE PLANTS

Use rinse water saved from bathing or clothes washing to water indoor plants. Do not use soapy water on indoor plants. It could damage them.

Water indoor plants only when needed. Too much water can damage plants.

OUTSIDE THE HOME

Car washing can use a lot of water. You may have to lower your standards and wash the car less often.

Drive your car onto your lawn before you wash it. Water if needed grass as you wash your car.

Use a bucket of sudsy water to remove soil from the car. Hose down only as a final rinse.

Take advantage of a soft summer rain to wash your car. Get out there with soap and a sponge!

If you go to a car wash, patronize one that recirculates water.

If water supply permits use of outdoor pool, cover the pool when it's not being used to prevent evaporation.

Clean the swimming pool filter often. Then you won't have to replace the water as often.

Soapy water that comes from soap you can use on your skin if OK for outdoor plants. Do not use water with bleach or borax compound in it on plants. It could damage them. Rinse water can be used on outdoor or indoor plants.

If water is rationed or otherwise restricted, lawns and annuals should receive the lowest priority for outside watering. Trees and shrubs are more expensive to replace and should receive any available water.

"Mulch" to retain moisture in the soil. Spread leaves, lawn clippings, newspapers or plastic around plants. Mulching also controls weeds that compete with garden plants for water.

Try "trickle" or "drip" irrigation systems in outdoor gardens. These methods use 25-50 percent less water than hose or sprinkler methods. A tiny plastic tube runs along the ground near plants. The trickle system provides many tiny holes to water closely placed plants. The drip system tubing contains holes or openings at strategic places for tomatoes and other plants that are more widely spaced.

If you are using a garden hose or sprinkler, water the garden less frequently but water it thoroughly. Don't let water run down driveway or street.

Use a broom, not the hose, to clean the garage, the sidewalks and the driveway.