Where to Look For Water Savings

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Friday, May 22nd, 2009 Subscribe To Our Feed

As I write this I can see out the window that it is raining here, just outside Washington, DC. In fact, I’ve been looking out the window and that’s all I’ve seen for the past week. California has a water problem, this is in their 3rd year of drought and the effects are being felt every where from agriculture production, to the devastating effect of forest fires - I would like to send them some of this rain.

The problem has gotten so bad that the Sacramento Press reports that the Department of Utilities is revising their fines for wasted water, both private and commercial use. The department is structuring this new program more along the lines of the state’s traffic violation program, which has a system of fines and mandatory classes to get the message across.

The shortage has also resulted in the closing of some rivers to salmon fishing for the second year in a row. The reason for this, wildlife officials say, is the salmon population is dangerously low. They need help if they are going to survive.

Even if you are not in a water restriction situation, why not take a look at your water use. You could even have a landscape professional give you some ideas for creating a beautiful alternative to a water thirsty lawn. Or ask your local nursery about low maintenance, native plantings that should thrive in their natural habitat.

Learn more about lawn irrigation and you will probably be able to come up with a plan for a custom watering system. It could mean more efficient water use and less work for you. Installing popup water heads and weeper lines are two ways to make watering less of a drain.

Around the house there are plenty of places to save water. One place to look to regularly is the bathroom. Those toilet flappers in the bottom of the tank have a limited life span. Often, when the house is quiet, you may hear it run. You can test, turn off the toilet water valve before you go to bed tonight, if in the morning, if the tank isn’t full it means it’s time to head to the hardware store.

Tankless water heaters are chosen for their energy savings and the convenience of back-to-back hot showers. From a value standpoint they can also be considered an asset, since lenders are increasingly writing energy efficiency mortgages, giving credits for appliances that have an Energy Star ratings. Tankless models installed with a re-circulating unit can cut back on water use as well.

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