Water Conservation Tips

Local Water Conservation Campaign More Important Than Ever

"There are a number of ways to save water, and they all start with you."

This is the mantra of a valley-wide water conservation campaign initiated in 2000. The purpose was to reinforce a universal water conservation ethic. It is called "Water - Use it Wisely". The Arizona cities participating in the promotion include Mesa , Phoenix , Scottsdale , Tempe , Chandler , Peoria , Glendale , Avondale, Safford, and the towns of Gilbert and Prescott Valley . They are also supported by the Arizona Department of Water Resources, the Bureau of Reclamation, and the Arizona Municipal Water Users Association.

Some of the water conservation tips are simple, but probably not utilized. We need to make them habits, part of our everyday lives.

Here are some of the tips from the campaign that are very easy to do, no matter where you live:

Water Conservation In the Kitchen

#2 : When washing dishes by hand, don't let the water run while rinsing. Fill one sink with wash water and the other with rinse water.

#17 : Collect the water you use for rinsing produce and reuse it to water houseplants.

#32 : Designate one glass for your drinking water each day. This will cut down on the number of times you run your dishwasher.

#35 : Don't use running water to thaw food.

#43 : Soak your pots and pans instead of letting the water run while you scrape them clean.

Water Conservation In the Bathroom

#23 : Time your shower to keep it under 5 minutes. You'll save up to 1000 gallons a month.

#29 : Plug the bathtub before turning the water on, then adjust the temperature as the tub fills up.

#54 : Turn off the water while you brush your teeth and save 4 gallons a minute. That's 200 gallons a week for a family of four.

#89 : Listen for dripping faucets and toilets that flush themselves. Fixing a leak can save 500 gallons each month.

#100 : Turn off the water while you shave and you can save more than 100 gallons a week.

Water Conservation In the Yard

#12 : Always water during the early morning hours, when temperatures are cooler, to minimize evaporation.

#18 : Water your lawn in several short sessions rather than one long one. This will allow the water to be better absorbed.

#44 : Don't water your lawn on windy days. After all, sidewalks and driveways don't need water.

#65 : Use a screwdriver as a soil probe to test soil moisture. If it goes in easily, don't water. Proper lawn watering can save thousands of gallons of water annually.

#90 : More plants die from over-watering than from under-watering. Be sure only to water plants when necessary.