Summer is in full swing, and it’s a hot one! During this time of year, we tend to use more water - primarily from outdoor water activities, lawn care, and landscaping. Using water efficiently is important throughout the year, but it is even more crucial to take care of the timing of your water use in the summer. It can make a big difference for community water supplies AND your water bill.
If your plans for the summer are to keep your kids cool and occupied with water gun fights, slip n' slides, or long days at the pool - you want to be SURE your water source is well maintained. Here are some tips for maintaining your water and scaling back your use where possible.
Be Time-Sensitive
Try not to use the hottest hours or days of the season to fill your pool, water your garden, or use excess water. Do not use any excess water during spells of extreme heat. Wells are fed by groundwater, and when the pumps on your well are pumping at a faster rate than the groundwater is recharged, it will lower the water in your personal or community well. You don’t want to run into any problems at a time when it is so crucial to have full access.
Outdoor care
Your plants likely don’t need to be watered every day. Depending on the weather or type of plants, you may find that you only need to water once or twice per week. If you can implement drip irrigation hoses to water plants, that saves a lot of unnecessary water waste. Set your system to water in the early morning or evening.
Lawn watering uses a lot of water. Like with your plants, water your lawn only when it needs it. A general rule of thumb is only to give an inch or so of water per week during the summer months. A tip for seeing if your lawn needs water is walking across the grass, if you leave footprints, your lawn may be asking for some water. You can also set your lawn mower one notch higher to make your lawn more drought-tolerant.
Most water waste during this time of year is due to over-watering and misdirected sprinklers that water sidewalks and driveways instead of plants. When watering your plants or lawn, control the flow to avoid wasting water. Place your hoses carefully to avoid watering unnecessary areas like sidewalks. If you use a sprinkler, check sprinkler heads to ensure they’re not watering paved or unwanted areas. Be sure to turn off all automatic watering when it rains. Making these small changes will create a bigger impact in the long run.
Implement ‘water-efficient’ habits in your home:
Consider using water and energy-efficient appliances. Water-saving showerheads, toilets, and faucet aerators can all help cut your water usage. Try to run the dishwasher, laundry machine, and other big appliances less if possible - especially on really hot days not to overwork your system.
You can also use a water use calculator to help track your usage. This online calculator from Alliance for Water Efficiency allows you to input water use information specific to your household. Based on that data, it offers tips on where you can save water and energy.
These water-saving measures can have a big impact. You will save money and know that you are doing your part to protect the water in your community.
Stay cool in the heat and try to preserve water where you can!
We are working very hard for our customers to help in their water slowdowns or other emergency situations. If you see any change in your water sources, call us, and we will schedule you to ensure your system is well maintained and functioning as it should.
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