Water Conservation Tips & Activities

Long Term

• Listen for leaks (running water in unlikely areas, running toilets, and dripping faucets)
• Insulate your hot water pipes.
• Fix broken plumbing.   

Bathroom 

• Take short showers instead of baths. One minute less can save up to 150 gal. a month!
• Shut off faucet when brushing teeth or washing hands.

Kitchen  

• Don't let water run continuously while washing dishes. 
• Consider keeping a pitcher in your fridge instead of running the faucet for cold water. 
• Create a compost pile instead of regularly using your garbage disposal.

 Long Term 

• Listen for leaks in unlikely areas (sprinkler systems, faucets, & hoses)
• Report any continued pooled water. 
• Direct gutter spouts towards flower beds, gardens, and trees. 

Lawn Care 

• Use a shut off spray nozzle on hoses. This can save up to 6 gal. a minute!
• Lawns only need one inch of water per week. Try deep soaking instead of sprinkling.
• Don't let sprinklers or any water run excessively. Use a timer as a  reminder to shut them off. A running hose can use 6 gal. a minute!

Landscape 

• Plant trees, shrubs, or greenery that require less water than a lawn. 
•  Use mulch to prevent evaporation. 
• Leaving your grass blades longer helps them shade each other, reduce evaporation, and prevents weed growth. 

• Orchard Avenue is a member of the Spokane Aquifer Joint Board, not only  to help keep our drinking water safe and clean, but to make sure we use it wisely!
• The SAJB has awesome water conservation tips and fun activities for kids. Please visit the link for more!

https://www.spokaneaquifer.org/education-awareness/

• 30% of water is used outdoors. Half of that is used for watering lawns and gardens. 
• 50% of water is lost to evaporation, runoff, over watering, or improper system maintenance.
• 85% percent of Washington's population gets their drinking water from a public water system. 
• To check for leaks: turn off all water, read your water meter,  wait 30 minutes and read it again. If it changes, you might have a  leak.