Ways to save water

From Staff Reports

   The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency offers a number of tips for reducing water use and increasing efficiency. Among them:
  
In the bathroom:

   * Take short showers instead of tub baths;
   * Turn off the water flow while soaping or shampooing;
   * Before pouring water down the drain, consider other uses for it, such as watering a plant or garden.

In the laundry:

   * Use the appropriate water level or load size selection on the washing machine;
   * Wash full loads whenever possible.

In the kitchen:

   * Keep drinking water in the refrigerator instead of letting the faucet run until the water is cool;
   * Use a vegetable brush to clean produce;
   * Do not use water to defrost frozen foods; thaw them in the refrigerator overnight.

Outdoors:

   * Sweep driveways, sidewalks and steps rather than hosing them off;
   * Wash the car from a bucket, or consider using a commercial car wash that recycles water;
   * When using a hose, control the flow with an automatic shutoff nozzle.
   To learn more about the simple things you can do to save water, take a virtual tour of a water saver home at http://www.h2ouse.org/ or visit EPA and its partners in water conservation at www.epa.gov/owm/water-efficiency/index.htm and www.energystar.gov/products/clotheswashers.