10 Tips to Save Water for Water Conservation Month

While the Southwest Water Management District encourages water conservation year round, there is extra emphasis each April for Water Conservation Month. April is traditionally one of the driest months of the year and typically marks the peak demand season for public water suppliers.

With 10 simple tips, you can lower your monthly water bill and do your part to save hundreds of gallons of water:

INDOOR

• Only run your washing machine and dishwasher when they are full.
• Use the shortest clothes washing cycle for lightly soiled loads; normal and permanent press wash cycles use more water.
• Thaw frozen food in the refrigerator or microwave, not under running water.
• Scrape, don't rinse, your dishes before loading in the dishwasher.
• Install high-efficiency showerheads, faucets and toilets.

OUTDOOR

• Check your home's irrigation system for leaks to save up to 6,300 gallons of water per month.
• Turn off your home's irrigation system and only water as needed; save up to 2,000 gallons each time a watering day is skipped.
• Don't leave sprinklers unattended. Use a kitchen timer to remind yourself to turn sprinklers off.
  
• Use a hose with a shutoff nozzle when washing the car to save around 40 gallons per wash.
• Consider installing a rain barrel with a drip irrigation system for watering your landscaping. Rainwater is free and better for your plants because it doesn't contain hard minerals.

Leaks are the biggest water waster, both inside and outside of your home. You can use your water meter to check for leaks. Turn off all faucets and water-using appliances and make sure no one uses water during the testing period. Remember to wait for the hot water heater and ice cube makers to refill and for regeneration of water softeners. Go to your water meter and record the current reading. Wait 30 minutes. (Remember: no water should be used during this period.) Read the meter again. If the reading has changed, you have a leak.

To learn more about saving water outdoors and to download or order the Districts' free six-page "Saving Water Outdoors" brochure, log onto WaterMatters.org/SaveWaterOutdoors/.

To learn more about saving water indoors and to download or order the Districts' free six-page "Saving Water Indoors" brochure, log onto WaterMatters.org/savewaterindoors

For more information about water conservation, please visit the District's website at WaterMatters.org/conservation

The mission of the Southwest Florida Water Management District is to manage water and related natural resources to ensure their continued availability while maximizing environmental, economic and recreational benefits.