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#1.
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There are a number of ways to save water, and they all
start with you.
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#2.
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When washing dishes by hand, don't let the water run
while rinsing. Fill one sink with wash water and the other
with rinse water.
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#3.
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Some refrigerators, air conditioners and ice-makers are
cooled with wasted flows of water. Consider upgrading with
air-cooled appliances for significant water savings.
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#4.
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Adjust sprinklers so only your lawn is watered and not
the house, sidewalk, or street.
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#5.
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Run your clothes washer and dishwasher only when they
are full. You can save up to 1,000 gallons a month.
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#6.
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Choose shrubs and groundcovers, instead of turf, for
hard-to-water areas such as steep slopes and isolated strips.
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#7.
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Install covers on pools and spas and check for leaks
around your pumps.
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#8.
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Use the garbage disposal sparingly. Compost vegetable
food waste instead and save gallons every time.
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#9.
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Plant in the fall when conditions are cooler and rainfall
is more plentiful.
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#10.
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For cold drinks keep a pitcher of water in the refrigerator
instead of running the tap. This way, every drop goes down
you and not the drain.
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#11.
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Monitor your water bill for unusually high use. Your
bill and water meter are tools that can help you discover
leaks.
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#12.
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Water your lawn and garden in the morning or evening
when temperatures are cooler to minimize evaporation.
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#13.
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Wash your fruits and vegetables in a pan of water instead
of running water from the tap.
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#14.
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Spreading a layer of organic mulch around plants retains
moisture and saves water, time and money.
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#15.
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Use a broom instead of a hose to clean your driveway
and sidewalk and save water every time.
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#16.
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If your shower fills a one-gallon bucket in less than
20 seconds, replace the showerhead with a water-efficient
model.
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#17.
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Collect the water you use for rinsing fruits and vegetables,
then reuse it to water houseplants.
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#18.
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If water runs off your lawn easily, split your watering
time into shorter periods to allow for better absorption.
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#19.
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We're more likely to notice leaks indoors, but don't
forget to check outdoor faucets, sprinklers and hoses for
leaks.
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#20.
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If you have an automatic refilling device, check your
pool periodically for leaks.
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#21.
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Check the root zone of your lawn or garden for moisture
before watering using a spade or trowel. If it's still
moist 2 inches under the soil surface, you still have enough
water.
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#22.
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When buying new appliances, consider those that offer
cycle and load size adjustments. They're more water and
energy efficient.
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#23.
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Shorten your shower by a minute or two and you'll save
up to 150 gallons per month.
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#24.
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Upgrade older toilets with water efficient models.
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#25.
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Adjust your lawn mower to a higher setting. A taller
lawn shades roots and holds soil moisture better than if
it is closely clipped.
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#26.
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When cleaning out fish tanks, give the nutrient-rich
water to your plants.
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#27.
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Use sprinklers for large areas of grass. Water small
patches by hand to avoid waste.
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#28.
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Put food coloring in your toilet tank. If it seeps into
the toilet bowl without flushing, you have a leak. Fixing
it can save up to 1,000 gallons a month.
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#29.
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When running a bath, plug the tub before turning the
water on, then adjust the temperature as the tub fills
up.
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#30.
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Walkways and patios provide space that doesn't ever need
to be watered. These useful "rooms" can also
add value to your property.
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#31.
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Collect water from your roof to water your garden.
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#32.
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Designate one glass for your drinking water each day
or refill a water bottle. This will cut down on the number
glasses to wash.
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#33.
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Rather than following a set watering schedule, check
for soil moisture two to three inches below the surface
before watering.
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#34.
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Install a rain sensor on your irrigation controller so
your system won't run when it's raining.
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#35.
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Don't use running water to thaw food. Defrost food in
the refrigerator for water efficiency and food safety.
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#36.
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Use drip irrigation for shrubs and trees to apply water
directly to the roots where it's needed.
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#37.
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Grab a wrench and fix that leaky faucet. Faucet repair
can save up to 300 gallons a month.
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#38.
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Reduce the amount of lawn in your yard by planting shrubs
and ground covers appropriate to your site and region.
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#39.
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When doing laundry, match the water level to the size
of the load.
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#40.
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Teach your children to turn off faucets tightly after
each use.
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#41.
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Remember to check your sprinkler system valves periodically
for leaks and keep the sprinkler heads in good shape.
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#42.
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Use a water-efficient showerhead. They're inexpensive,
easy to install, and can save you up to 750 gallons a month.
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#43.
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Soak pots and pans instead of letting the water run while
you scrape them clean.
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#44.
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Don't water your lawn on windy days when most of the
water blows away or evaporates.
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#45.
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Water your plants deeply but less frequently to encourage
deep root growth and drought tolerance.
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#46.
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Know where your master water shut-off valve is located.
This could save water and prevent damage to your home.
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#47.
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To decrease water from being wasted on sloping lawns,
apply water for five minutes and then repeated two to three
times.
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#48.
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Group plants with the same watering needs together to
avoid overwatering some while underwatering others.
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#49.
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Use a lawer of organic material on the surface of your
planting beds to minimize weed growth that competes for
water.
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#50.
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Use a minimum amount of organic or slow release fertilizer
to promote a healthy and drought tolerant landscape.
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#51.
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Trickling or cascading fountains lose less water to evaporation,
than those spraying water into the air.
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#52.
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Use a commercial car wash that recycles water.
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#53.
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Avoid recreational water toys that require a constant
flow of water.
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#54.
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Turn off the water while brushing your teeth and save
25 gallons a month.
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#55.
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Use a rain gauge, or empty tuna can, to track rainfall
on your lawn. Then reduce your watering accordingly.
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#56.
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Encourage your school system and local government to
develop and promote water conservation among children and
adults.
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#57.
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Learn how to shut off your automatic watering system
in case it malfunctions or you get an unexpected rain.
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#58.
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Set a kitchen timer when watering your lawn or garden
to remind you when to stop. A running hose can discharge
up to 10 gallons a minute.
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#59.
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If your toilet flapper doesn't close after flushing,
replace it.
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#60.
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Make sure there are water-saving aerators on all of your
faucets.
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#61.
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By selecting plants suited to your yard's conditions,
you'll use less water and other resources.
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#62.
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Install an instant water heater near your kitchen sink
so you don't have to run the water while it heats up. This
also reduces energy costs.
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#63.
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Use a grease pencil to mark the water level of your pool
at the skimmer. Check the mark 24 hours later to see if
you have a leak.
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#64.
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If your dishwasher is new, cut back on rinsing. Newer
models clean more thoroughly than older ones.
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#65.
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Use a trowel, shovel, or soil probe to examine soil moisture
depth. If the top two to three inches of soil are dry it's
time to water.
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#66.
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If installing a lawn, select a turf mix or blend that
matches your climate and site conditions.
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#67.
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When you save water, you save money on your utility
bills too. Saving water is easy for everyone to do.
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#68.
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When the kids want to cool off, use the sprinkler in
an area where your lawn needs it the most.
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#69.
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Make sure your swimming pools, fountains, and ponds are
equipped with recirculating pumps.
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#70.
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Bathe your young children together.
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#71.
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Consult with your local nursery for information on plant
selection and placement for optimum outdoor water savings.
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#72.
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Winterize outdoor spigots when temperatures dip below
freezing to prevent pipes from leaking or bursting.
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#73.
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Insulate hot water pipes for more immediate hot water
at the faucet and for energy savings.
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#74.
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Wash your car on the lawn, and you'll water your lawn
at the same time.
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#75.
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Drop your tissue in the trash instead of flushing it
and save water every time.
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#76.
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Direct water from rain gutters and HVAC systems towards
water-loving plants in the landscape for automatic water
savings.
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#77.
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Make suggestions to your employer about ways to save
water and money at work.
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#78.
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Support projects that use reclaimed wastewater for irrigation
and industrial uses.
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#79.
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Use a hose nozzle or turn off the water while you wash
your car. You'll save up to 100 gallons every time.
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#80.
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Share water conservation tips with friends and neighbors.
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#81.
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If your toilet was installed before 1992, reduce the
amount of water used for each flush by inserting a displacement
device in the tank.
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#82.
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Setting cooling systems and water softeners for a minimum
number of re-fills saves both water and chemicals, plus
more on utility bills.
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#83.
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Washing dark clothes in cold water saves both on water
and energy while it helps your clothes to keep their colors.
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#84.
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Leave lower branches on trees and shrubs and allow leaf
litter to accumulate on the soil. This keeps the soil cooler
and reduces evaporation.
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#85.
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Report broken pipes, open hydrants and errant sprinklers
to the property owner or your water provider.
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#86.
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Let your lawn to go dormant during the summer. Dormant
grass only needs to be watered every three weeks or less
if it rains.
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#87.
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Plant with finished compost to add water-holding and
nutrient-rich organic matter to the soil.
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#88.
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Use sprinklers that deliver big drops of water close
to the ground. Smaller water drops and mist often evaporate
before they hit the ground.
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#89.
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Listen for dripping faucets and running toilets. Fixing
a leak can save 300 gallons a month or more.
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#90.
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Water only when necessary. More plants die from over-watering
than from under-watering.
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#91.
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One more way to get eight glasses of water a day is
to re-use the water left over from cooked or steamed foods
to start a scrumptious and nutritious soup.
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#92.
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Adjust your watering schedule each month to match seasonal
weather conditions and landscape requirements.
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#93.
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Turn off the water while you wash your hair to save up
to 150 gallons a month.
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#94.
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Wash your pets outdoors in an area of your lawn that
needs water.
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#95.
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When shopping for a new clothes washer, compare resource
savings among Energy Star models. Some of these can save
up to 20 gallons per load, and energy too.
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#96.
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Apply water only as fast as the soil can absorb it.
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#97.
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Aerate your lawn at least once a year so water can reach
the roots rather run off the surface.
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#98.
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When washing dishes by hand, fill the sink basin or a
large container and rinse when all of the dishes have been
soaped and scrubbed.
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#99.
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Catch water in an empty tuna can to measure sprinkler
output. One inch of water on one square foot of grass equals
two-thirds of a gallon of water.
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#100.
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Turn off the water while you shave and save up to 300
gallons a month.
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| #101. |
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When you give your pet fresh water, don't throw the old
water down the drain. Use it to water your trees or shrubs.
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| #102. |
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If you accidentally drop ice cubes when filling your
glass from the freezer, don't throw them in the sink. Drop
them in a house plant instead.
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| #103. |
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To save water and time, consider washing your face or
brushing your teeth while in the shower.
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| #104. |
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While staying in a hotel or even at home, consider
reusing your towels.
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| #105. |
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When backwashing your pool, consider using the water
on your
landscaping.
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| #106. |
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For hanging baskets, planters and pots, place ice
cubes under the moss or dirt to give your plants a cool
drink of water and help eliminate water overflow.
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| #107. |
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Throw trimmings and peelings from fruits and vegetables
into your yard compost to prevent from using the garbage
disposal.
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When you have ice left in your cup from a take-out
restaurant, don't throw it in the trash, dump it on a
plant.
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| #109. |
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Have your plumber re-route your gray water to trees
and gardens rather than letting it run into the sewer
line. Check with your city codes, and if it isn't allowed
in your area, start a movement to get that changed.
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| #110. |
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Keep a bucket in the shower to catch water as it warms
up or runs. Use this water to flush toilets or water
plants.
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| #111. |
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When you are washing your hands, don't let the water
run while you lather.
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