The Fourth of July is almost here! As you prepare for the holiday, save water and money with these ten water conservation tips:
1.) Buy recycled paper products: Products made from 100 percent recycled paper require much less water in their manufacturing than those made from virgin paper.
2.) Let your grass grow: Instead of mowing your lawn this weekend, let it grow. The roots will grow deeper, the blades will shade the root system and it’s an easy way to improve the soil’s ability to retain moisture. When it’s time to mow, adjust your mower to a height of 1.5 to 2 inches.
3.) Cook food in as little water as possible. This will also help preserve the food’s nutrients.
4.) When washing your hands, turn the water off while you lather.
5.) When planning your holiday meal, consider swapping a meat dish with a vegetarian one. It takes almost eighteen-hundred gallons of water to produce a single pound of beef.
Did you know? If you were to skip meat one day a week, you’d conserve 65,000 gallons of water in a year.
6.) Don’t use water to thaw food. The safest and most water efficient way is to defrost food in the refrigerator.
7.) Have an Energy Star approved dishwasher? Save water by running a full dishwasher rather than hand washing. Don’t have an efficient dishwasher? Wash dishes in a partially filled sink and then rinse them using the spray attachment on your tap.
8.) Use a broom instead of a hose to clean off patios, sidewalks and driveways.
9.) Instead of letting the faucet run to rinse vegetables, rinse them in a pan of clean water instead!
10.) Leftover or melted ice? Water your indoor plants with the excess water, and place the ice cubes in your outdoor pots.
