We were recently sent an article with great reminders and handy information on water conservation. We are just getting into the summer months, a time when water conservation, especially outside, can be so important.

This article from DietSpotlight raise some interesting points about the connection between water usage and our environment. We may not think that our simple actions at home can make a difference but they can. As the article points out, "Since grabbing, purifying and distributing water takes energy, going easy on the showers could lead to that energy being used elsewhere."

Here are the conservation tips highlighted in this article:
Save Water Indoors

•     Take shorter showers
•     Invest in water-saving appliances and “low-flush toilets”
•     Check your house for leaks – toilets, pipes, faucets, ect.
•     Defrost your food in the fridge
•     Clean fruits and vegetables in a pan of water
•     Rinse dirty dishes in a pan of water as well
•     Only wash dishes when there’s a full load

Save Water Outdoors

•     Make sure all hoses have shut-off nozzles
•     Don’t use too much water when landscaping – sometimes just a bit will do
•     Make sure you water your lawns in the early morning or late at night
•     Do not water your lawn during rainy days or days when heavy rainfall is expected
•     Use drip irrigation systems
•     Make sure your sprinklers aren’t watering the sidewalk or the street
•     Plant more shrubs and bushes to reduce your grass coverage
•     Use mulch to keep moisture in and reduce evaporation
•     Install a rain barrel for outdoor watering
•     Monitor your water bill and ask your local government about a “home water audit”
•     Plant native plant species in your garden – depending on where you live, native plants may require less water to grow.

More information about conserving water is available right here on DrinkTap.