How to Use Water Wisely This Summer

How to Use Water Wisely This Summer

Did you know that up to 50 percent of the water we use outside is not necessary to maintain a healthy landscape? Reduce your outdoor water consumption during the hot, dry summer months with these five tips on how to use water wisely.

1. Set up your sprinklers correctly: When you setup your sprinklers to water your lawn and plants this summer, make sure they are correctly positioned so you are only watering the areas that need watering—and not your driveway or sidewalk. To help you save even more water, consider installing a drip irrigation system for your sprinklers. Compared to conventional sprinkler systems, drip irrigation systems are simple to design, inexpensive and very easy to install. Plus, they will save you lots of money this summer by helping you to conserve more water.
   
   
2. Collect rain water: The average roof collects 600 gallons of water for every inch of rainfall. Put this wasted water to use with a rainwater collection system. Collecting rainwater for use during dry months is an excellent way to cut down on your outdoor water consumption, and allows you to water your grass or plants without using any additional water. There are many ways to go about building a rainwater collection system, you just have to consider which system will work best for your home and watering needs.
   
   
3. Cover your swimming pool: By doing one simple task—covering your swimming pool when not in use—you can prevent the loss of thousands of gallons of water each month. When swimming pools are left uncovered during the hot months, a majority of the water is lost from evaporation, causing you to refill and clean your pool much more frequently. When filling your pool, also try to keep the water level low to help reduce the amount of water lost from splashing.
   
   
4. Be mindful of your hose: Inspect your hose frequently for rips, tears, or leaks—anything that could cause you to waste water. When watering your plants or grass with your hose, make sure to turn off—or kink—the hose between watering spots. You can even buy a squeeze (pistol grip) nozzle for your hose so you don’t have to use the tap to start and stop the flow when watering. In addition to your hose, you should also try to perform a periodic walkthrough of your landscaped areas to make sure system pipes are in good condition, and free of cracks and leaks.
   
   
5. Wash wisely: Washing your car with a bucket of water uses far less water than leaving the hose running. If you do choose to wash your car with a hose, make sure you are using a squeeze nozzle to prevent excess water usage. When it comes to getting your car professionally washed, use only car washes that conserve and recycle their wash water. Self-service car washes are also a great choice, as these use the least amount of water because they involve high-pressure hoses with pistol grips that can be turned off and on easily.

The average American family uses 320 gallons of water each day—30 percent of which is devoted to outdoor usage. How will you do your part to reduce outdoor water consumption? Join A.Y. McDonald in our effort to minimize wasted water consumption, and help us preserve our resources by getting smart about your water footprint.

Learn more about how A.Y. McDonald is helping cities across the nation cut down on water waste by installing UFRs to reduce water loss from leaks and overflows.