Water Conservation

Save money, save water – and help save the Earth

The average person uses 80-100 gallons of water every day. Consider all of the things that you use water for: bathing, cooking, washing, recreation, and drinking. Yes, 71% of Earth is covered by water, but only 3% of the planet’s water is fresh water, and less than 1% is available for drinking.

There are several reasons why it’s important to conserve this vital resource. Water conservation helps:

• minimize effects of droughts and water shortages
• guard against rising costs and political conflict
• preserve our environment and protect our ecosystem and wildlife
• make water available for recreational purposes
• build safe and beautiful communities

To help our water customers save money – and water – the City of Rehoboth Beach has collected several tips from various conservation websites.

In the bathroom

• Check all faucets, pipes, and toilets periodically for leaks. Check your flapper periodically, too, to make sure it’s fitting tight.
• Install low-flow, high-efficiency toilets and faucet aerators as well as water-saving shower heads.
• Don’t use the toilet as a wastebasket.
• Take shorter showers (5 minutes max) or a bath. Or consider turning off the water while soaping and scrubbing and turning it back on briefly to rinse.
• Turn the water off while shaving or brushing your teeth.
• When washing your hands, turn off the water while you lather.

In the kitchen and laundry

• Only run the washing machine when it’s full or select the proper water level for each load.
• A front-loading washer uses 1/3 less water than a top-loading machine.
• Only run the dishwasher when it’s full, and if your dishwasher has it, use the water-saver cycle.
• Don’t let the faucet run while you clean vegetables.
• Rinse dishes in a pan rather than under running water
• Defrost food in the refrigerator rather than running it under water.
• Keep a bottle of drinking water in the refrigerator, that way you don’t have to run the tap water until it cools.
• Minimize use of the garbage disposal.

Lawn care

• Water your lawn only when it needs it – rainfall reduces the need for watering. Step on the grass and then move your foot, if the grass springs back, it doesn’t need water.
• When you do water your lawn, water it for long enough for water to seep into the roots.
• Water in the cool parts of the day, and early morning is better than dusk.
• Use an automatic irrigation system.
• Do not water the pavement.
• Spot-water the drier areas of your yard rather than the entire yard.
• Consider drip irrigation systems around trees and shrubs.
• Weed your lawn. Weeds are water thieves.
• Be willing to live with a less lush lawn.
• Apply the minimum amount of fertilizer needed.
• Mow as infrequently as possible and never remove more than 1/3 off the leaf blade in one mowing.
• Plant drought-resistant shrubs and trees.
• Use a broom – not a hose – to clean driveways, sidewalks, and steps.
• Reuse rainwater by capturing it in a rain barrel or cistern.

Other tips

• When giving pets fresh water, use the old water on plants instead of pouring it down the drain.
• Use a bucket of water to wash your dog or family car; don’t leave the hose running. Or take your car to a commercial carwash.
• Encourage children to find another way to play rather than with a hose or sprinkler.
• Monitor your water bill. Unusually high usage may indicate a leak.