Pools, sprinklers, hoses — there are many ways to use water outdoors in the summertime, and there are also countless and easy ways to conserve it.
Most people in North America use 50 to 70 gallons of water indoors each day and about the same amount outdoors, depending on the season.
- Indoors, 3/4 of all water is used in the bathroom.
- Outdoors, lawn and garden watering and car washing account for most of the water used.
- Running a sprinkler for two hours can use up to 500 gallons.
- As much as 150 gallons of water can be saved when washing a car by turning the hose off between rinses.
- Washing a sidewalk or driveway with a hose uses about 50 gallons of water every 5 minutes.
Check out the following tips for developing good H2O habits:
- Water your lawn only when necessary; if you leave footprints when you walk across it, it’s time to water (usually once every three days).
- Minimize evaporation by watering your lawn during the early morning hours, when temperatures are cooler and winds are lighter.
- Raise the blade on your lawn mower. Closely cropped grass requires more water.
- Divide your watering cycle into shorter periods to reduce runoff and allow for better absorption.
- Periodically check your pool for leaks if you have an automatic refilling device.
- Weed your lawn and garden regularly; weeds compete with other plants for nutrients, light and water.
- Put a layer of mulch around your plants. Mulching helps to retain moisture and prevents evaporation. A generous amount of 3 to 5 inches is best.
- When the kids want to cool off, use the sprinkler in an area where your lawn needs it most.
- Use sprinklers that throw big drops of water close to the ground.
- Water your garden during the coolest part of the day. Do not water on windy days.
- Use a hose nozzle and turn off the water while you wash your car — you’ll save more than 100 gallons.
- Use a screwdriver as a probe to test soil moisture; if it goes in easily, don’t water.
- Use a grease pencil to mark the water level of your pool, and check the mark 24 hours later; your pool should lose no more than 1/4 inch each day.
- Check your sprinkler system frequently and adjust sprinklers so that only the lawn (not the house, sidewalk or street) is watered.
