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Indoor Water Conservation Tips We live in a beautiful, thriving community -- the Valley of the Sun. Because we do live in a desert, water is our most important and precious resource. We all have a part to play in using water wisely and ensuring an adequate water supply for ourselves and future generations. The following tips are some of the many ways to be water-wise in and around the home every day. Bathroom Check faucets and pipes for leaks. Turn off the water while brushing your teeth or shaving, rather than running a steady stream. Limit showers to five minutes. Replace standard shower heads with low-volume heads or flow restrictors. Check your toilet periodically for leaks. Place a few drops of food coloring in the tank. After a few minutes, if you see color in the bowl, you have a leak, perhaps caused by a faulty flapper. Listen for gurgling sounds coming from your toilet. These noises indicate the flush valve needs to be adjusted to stop wasting water. Fill a plastic, one quart bottle with water and place it in the toilet tank. To anchor the bottle, partially fill it with sand or any heavy substance. This does not affect the efficiency of most toilets and can save 5 or more gallons per day per a family of four. (Do not use bricks to displace water in your toilet tank. They will break down over time and can cause problems.) Avoid using your toilet for a wastebasket or ashtray. Extra flushes waste water and money. Kitchen & Laundry Automatic dishwashers and washers are more efficient if run only when they are full. When washing dishes by hand, don't let the tap run freely to rinse. Fill the second side of the sink with rinse water. Fill a pitcher with drinking water and store it in the refrigerator. Outside Evaporative coolers require a seasonal maintenance check-up. For more water efficient cooling check your evaporative coolers annually. When washing the car, use soap and water from a bucket. Use a hose with a shut-off nozzle for the final rinse. Use a broom when cleaning your driveway. Adjust sprinklers so only the lawn is watered and not the house, sidewalk, or street. Do not water on windy days. Check and maintain your sprinkler system regularly. Water your lawn every third day. Always water during the cool time of the day to minimize evaporation. Early morning is best, and the peak water consumption hours (4 p.m. - 9 p.m.) should be avoided. Adjust your irrigation schedule to accommodate changes in seasonal water demand. Install an automatic timer. For landscaping, use native or other low water use plants. Using a layer of mulch around plants reduces evaporation and promotes plant growth. Water retaining basins also allow water to be concentrated around the plants. Use the principles of xeriscape. To find out more about xeriscape, call your city's water conservation office. There are a number of ways to save water, and they all start with you.  For more water-saving tips, visit www.wateruseitwisely.com. Arizona Municipal Water Users Association 3003 N. Central Ave., Suite 1550, Phoenix, AZ 85012 602-248-8482 • 602-248-8423 Fax webmaster@amwua.org The Arizona Municipal Water Users Association (AMWUA) is a voluntary, non-profit corporation established by municipalities in Maricopa County for the development of urban water resources policy. |