Menard County Soil &Water Conservation District

 

 

 

Tips for Conserving Water Outdoors
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Use mulch around shrubs, trees, and garden plants to reduce evaporation from the soil surface.

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Do not install or use an ornamental water feature unless it recycles water.

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Install moisture sensors on sprinkler systems.

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Repair all leaks on outdoor faucets and sprinkler systems. 

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Sweep walks and driveways instead of hosing them off.

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Water the lawn or garden during the early morning to prevent evaporation.   Don't water when it's windy.

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Remove thatch and aerate turf to encourage movement of water to the root zone.

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Mow your lawn on a higher level; longer grass blades inhibit weed growth and reduce evaporation.

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If you have a pool, use a pool cover to prevent evaporation. 

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Direct rain downspouts so that they drain to a flower bed or garden area.

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Wash your car on the lawn, and let the rinse water help your lawn.  Turn off the hose between rinses. 

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If your pool loses more than 1/4" of water a day, check the pool and filter equipment for leaks. 

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Bathe pets outdoors in an area that needs watering.

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Conservation Tips

 

 

 

 

Tips for Conserving Water Indoors

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Repair all leaks on pipes, faucets, and toilets.

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Install low-flow devices on toilets and showerheads. 

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Purchase high-efficiency appliances with water-saving features.

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Turn off water while brushing teeth and shaving.  Fill the sink with a couple of inches of water to rinse your razor. 

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Take short showers instead of baths.  If you must use a tub, fill the tub only halfway. 

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Run only full loads of laundry in the washing machine and dishwasher. 

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If you wash dishes in the sink, use one sink for rinse water and one for soap. 

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Rinse vegetables in a filled sink or pan instead of under running water.  Use your rinse water to water houseplants. 

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Use your garbage disposal less and compost instead. 

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Reuse fish tank water, which is a natural fertilizer, to water plants. 

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Don't use running water to thaw frozen food. 

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Use dropped or left over ice cubes to water plants, roots can absorb water slowly and it prevents pots from overflowing. 

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Turn off the faucet while lathering your hands. 

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Insulate hot water pipes.  This will speed up the time you wait for hot water to reach the faucet.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Water Facts

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It takes 1,850 gallons of water to refine one gallon of crude oil. 

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It takes 39,090 gallons of water to produce a typical US automobile. 

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It takes 36 gallons of water to produce a 2 ounce serving of pasta. 

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It takes 1,500 gallons of water to process one barrel of beer.

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It takes 6,800 gallons of water to grow a day's food for a family of four. 

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It takes 5-7 gallons of water to flush a toilet. 

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It takes 13 gallons of water to produce one gallon of paint. 

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The average shower takes 25-50 gallons of water. 

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It takes 2 gallons of water to brush your teeth. 

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It takes about 2 gallons to wash dishes with an automatic dishwasher and 20 gallons to wash dishes by hand. 

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The average person uses 168 gallons of water per day. 

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One gallon of water weighs 8.34 pounds. 

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Frozen water is 9% lighter than water, which is why ice floats. 

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Each day the sun evaporates a trillion tons of water.

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An acre of corn will give off 4,000 gallons of water per day in evaporation. 

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More than 2 billion people (a quarter of the earth's population) do not have a safe supply of water. 

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Americans use five times the amount of water that Europeans use. 

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One gallon of gasoline can contaminate approximately 750,000 gallons of water.

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Freshwater animals are disappearing five times faster than land animals.

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Approximately 20% of rain that falls in the US becomes groundwater.  We are using groundwater 100 times faster than rainfall replaces it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Last modified: 07/30/10 Hit Counter