Conserving Water When It’s Dry
Posted by Chad Norman May 4th, 2007 .Do any of you remember it being this dry in Spring?
At least the Post and Courier is talking about it, but I didn’t see any info on what we should do to conserve water. During times of drought, or near drought, water conservation is an important way to take the edge off of dwindling water supplies.
I found a great article at ConsumerReports.org that provides 50 ways to save water. Not only will these ideas help ease the effects of the (near) drought, but they should save you some money. Here are some of my favorites:
- Water during the coolest time of the day to reduce evaporation - if you have to water at all.
- Use mulch, as it retains more water for the plants.
- Plant drought-resistant native plants - this is an investment, but a properly landscaped property doesn’t need supplemental water.
- Fix leaky toilets!
- Use your dishwasher and washing machine only when full.
One of the best ways to reduce water is the navy shower. I don’t do this myself, but I’m thinking of trying it out…apparently, my water bill will tumble. I also think the navy shower metaphor could be carried to other activities, like washing dishes, brushing teeth, and washing your car. More on this later…
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Yeah, super dry for sure. My lawn is crunchy and needs water… looks like I’ll have to break out the sprinklers this weekend. There’s a lot of good info out there about watering practices… when I was checking out the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) Web site recently, I found a “smart watering” guide they produced as part of their Gardening and Recycling Organics Wisely (GROW) program. Check it out here.
And the navy shower is a great idea!
I don’t have a lawn, but I do try to keep from killing a few potted plants around my house. When I’m running the faucet to heat up or cool down the water for something else, I try to remember to catch the wasted water in my watering can. The water that could’ve just gone down the drain now keeps my plants from wilting. I also pour my dog’s old water onto a plant instead of down the drain when I’m fixing her a fresh bowl.