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Water Conservation

Water Conservation

-noun
the conservation of water resources.

-verb
to make efficient use of the water that you need to ensure future supplies for others.

Living over the Spokane Valley Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer can make it hard to see the benefits of water conservation. After all, the region has no watering restrictions and it seems like there will always be enough water. But the truth is that water conservation saves a lot more than just water! Besides the added benefit of ensuring future water supplies, using less water saves energy, reduces pollution, and saves you money.

Shorter showers save water and the energy it takes to heat the water.


Running the dishwasher and washing machine only when you have a full load also saves energy and reduces your electric bill.

Using less water means that your utility has to use less power pumping water and reduces wear and tear on the infrastructure; and

Lowering the amount of water going down the drain means less sewage for the treatment plants to clean and saves on your sewer bill.

The Biggest Wasters in Your Home

It might come as a surprise to you that the biggest wasters in your home aren't necessarily your kids! The three biggest wasters of water are

  • leaks and drips
  • the toilet, and
  • your lawn.


 

 

If you are interested in saving more than just water, take a look at the following tips, read the facts, and follow the links to see what you can do.

WATER SAVING TIPS

LEAKS AND DRIPS

Did you know that a dripping faucet that runs at a rate of one drip per second wastes 3156 gallons a year. That is enough water to fill 63 bathtubs to the top. Imagine if every home in Spokane had a dripping faucet! Millions of gallons of water would be lost.

A leak the size of a pinhead can waste 360,000 gallons of water a year. That is enough water to fill 20 average sized backyard pools.

 

Use your meter to check for leaks

If you want to check your home for leaks choose a time of day when no water will be used. Record your water meter reading. Make sure no one in your home uses any water. Check the meter again in a few hours. If the meter has changed at all you have a leak. If you find you have a leak, call a leak detection company to have it repaired as soon as possible.

 

THE TOILET

The #1 water waster in your home is, hands down, the toilet.

A leaking toilet can waste 15,000 gallons of water a month. To check if your toilet has a leak, place several drops of food coloring in the toilet tank. If the color seeps into the toilet bowl within 30 minutes without flushing, your toilet has a leak.

Recently installed toilets use 1.5 to 2 gallons per flush, if you have an older model it can be using up to 8 gallons per flush. Newer models cut total indoor water usage by 30%. And remember to avoid using the toilet as a trashcan.

 

THE LAWN

The average Spokane family triples their water usage in the summer. The good news is lawns are an area ripe for water conservation. Your lawn needs only 1" of water a week, including rainfall.

Here are some ideas to help you save water outside your home:

 

  • Water in the early morning or evening when water won't be lost to evaporation.
  • Set your sprinklers to deliver large drops of water instead of a fine mist that will evaporate quickly, this way more of the water reaches the ground and can be used by your lawn.
  • Avoid the "set it and forget it" mentality that comes with sprinkler systems and adjust your system's frequency and length according to temperature and rainfall.
  • Install rain shut-off devices that will automatically shut off your sprinklers when it is raining.
  • Maintain a lawn height of 2.5 to 3 inches to help protect the roots from heat stress and reduce moisture lost.

Besides just watering properly you can do other things to reduce water usage:

  • Shrubs, ground cover, and trees typically need less water than grass. Use these alternatives in your yard to reduce water needs.
  • Plant in the spring or fall when less water is needed to get plants started.
  • Group plants according to water and sun needs. That way plants won't be over or under watered.

    For a list of water efficient plants that will grow well in Eastern Washington visit
    Selected Hardy Plants for Water-conserving Landscapes.

If you think you have the top three wasters under control, here are some other easy things you can do to save water in your home.

But remember you won't just be saving water!

TO SAVE WATER AND ELECTRICITY

  • Insulate your hot water pipes so you don't have to run the tap to get hot water.
  • If you have a dishwasher, run it only when you have a full load. A dishwasher at full capacity uses as much as 50% less water than washing dishes by hand.

TO SAVE WATER AND REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF WASTE GOING DOWN THE DRAIN

  • Use the garbage disposal sparingly. Instead compost your waste.
    Spokane Regional Solid Waste System Composting
  • Use a pan to wash vegetables and then use the water for your houseplants or garden.
  • When you clean your fish tank out, use the water on your house plants. It's a great fertilizer.

 

TO SAVE WATER AND REDUCE WATER GOING INTO STORM DRAINS

  • Use a sponge, bucket, and hose nozzle equipped with an off position to wash your car instead of letting the hose run.
  • Use a broom to sweep driveways and sidewalks instead of using a hose.

 

 

For more information on water conservation visit these web sites:

TheWater Stewardship Program

Department of Ecology Water Conservation Tips

US Environmental Protection Agency

 

Hey kids and educators! Check out our Water Conservation Virtual Field Trips - available here!

This webpage created in partnership with the Washington State Department of Ecology.

 

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