10 Ways to Conserve Water

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"Water conservation is not something to do on an occasional basis. At this point in earth's history it is time for water conservation to become part of a lifestyle change." So says Ellen McNeill, owner of a website featuring eco-friendly gifts for babies, toddlers and adults.

He points to severe water shortages in the Southeast as an example of why water conservation is no longer an option. Orme, Tennessee, a small town about 40 miles west of Chattanooga and 150 miles northwest of Atlanta, has run out of water. Three times a week the fire chief hauls about 20,000 gallons of water from an Alabama fire hydrant a few miles away to the dry town. Dozens of trips are made back and forth to carry water for the town's 145 residents. For just three hours each evening, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., residents scurry to wash clothes, take showers and fill water jugs. To solve the water problem the town is constructing a 2-1/2 mile pipe to connect Orme to the Bridgeport, Alabama water supply with a 7,590 emergency grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Even if your area has not been hit by a water shortage that is no guarantee there won't be a problem in the future. So what can the average person do to help? Start with the basics. McNeill offers 10 easy tips to help conserve water.

1. Fix leaky faucets. A faucet dripping at one drop per second wastes 2,700 gallons a year.

2. Save up to 700 gallons of water each month by taking shorter showers. Even a one or two minute reduction can make a difference.

3. Don't use the hose to clean sidewalks. Use a broom and save about 150 gallons of water each time.

4. Adjust sprinklers to make sure that only the lawn is getting watered. This can save 500 gallons of water each month.

5. Don't run water while brushing your teeth or shaving and save three gallons of water every time.

6. Keep drinking water in the refrigerator so you don't have to run water for cool drinks. This alone can save 200 to 300 gallons a month.

7. Water the lawn in the morning rather than during the day or in the evening. You'll save 300 gallons.

8. Only use your dishwasher and clothes washer for full loads. Avoid using the permanent press cycle because it uses an added 5 gallons for the extra rinse.

9. Clean your car using a pail of soapy water rather than running the hose. Use the hose only for rinsing. Try a waterless car washing system such as Ecotouch which can save up to 100 gallons of water per wash.

10. Make sure your toilet tank isn't leaking. Just put a drop of food coloring in the toilet tank. If the color shows up in the bowl, your tank is leaking and you're wasting up to 200 gallons of water a day.

These are just a handful of tips that each family can implement to make a difference. "Turn these tips into new habits and your household can save thousands of gallons of water each month," says McNeill. "To make an even bigger difference in water conservation share these tips with everyone you know."