Conservation

Water Conservation Facts

Did you know?
  • A standard garden hose can discharge up to 8.5 gallons per minute.
  • To apply an inch of water to 1,000 sq. ft. of lawn requires 620 gallons
  • Typically over 50% of the water use for a single family home in Utah is used for the lawn and garden.

What can you do?

Maintenance
  • Fix leaks in faucets, pipes, hoses, and pool/spa.
  • Visually inspect your sprinklers system once a month and repair leaks.
  • Install a drip system for trees, shrubs, and flowers. They use less water than misters.
Watering Methods
  • Water only once a week during the spring and fall.
  • Create a low-maintenance lawn by fertilizing and watering less and mowing taller. Mow at least 3” in height and do not cut off more than 1/3 of the total length. Over use of fertilizers and pesticides can potentially pollute water sources, so use these chemicals sparingly. Remember, the more you water and fertilize, the more your lawn grows, requiring more maintenance.
  • Water at night in cycles. For example, three six minute sessions will decrease run-off and increase absorption.
  • Only water when needed and only the plants that needs it. It is natural for plants to wilt in the evening as long as they perk up in the morning.
  • Mulch all areas of exposed soil, including potted plants. Do not water on windy days. Add organic materials to sandy or clay soils to increase its ability to hold water.
  • Use a soil tester to check moisture levels at the root zone to determine when watering is necessary.
Consider updating your landscape
  • Try planting drought tolerant and regionally adapted plants.
  • Ask yourself, how much lawn do I actually use? Consider replacing unused lawn with draught tolerant plants or ground cover.
  • Arrange plants in you garden according to water needs, if done correctly this will prevent over-watering or under-watering of plants.
  • Install wood decking or bricks or stone with interlocking patterns instead of impervious cement walkways.
  • Consider Xeriscaping.
Cleaning Methods
  • Sweep instead of using water.
  • Do not use water to clean gutters.
  • Use a bucket of non-toxic soap water to clean the car and turn water off when not needed.
  • Wash you car over your lawn if possible.
  • Do not clean your car during the hottest part of the day when water evaporates quickly.
  • Consider using a commercial facility.
Pool and Spa
  • Even a small leak of one inch a day in a 15×30 ft pool can waste 102,000 gallons a year.
Top ways to keep the water in your pool or spa
  • Cover your pool or spa.
  • Repair leaks.
  • If the pool is heated, reduce the temperature because warm water evaporates more quickly than cool water.
  • Manually clean your filter, this will do a better job and save water.
  • Re-evaluate the frequency of your back-washing and adjust.
Water Conservation Inside the Home
  • The average home uses more than 200 gallons of water per day!
  • An average of 8% of all home water use is wasted through leaks.
  • Turning off the water while you brush your teeth can save 4 gallons of water a minute. That’s 200 gallons a week for a family of four.
  • Turning off the water while you shave can save more than 100 gallons of water a week.
  • Fixing a leak can save 500 gallons of water each month.
  • Every toilet flush you eliminate can save between two and seven gallons of water.
  • Taking showers instead of baths can save 30 gallons of water. Filling the bathtub uses about 50 gallons of water.
  • Keeping your shower to less than 5 minutes can save up to 1000 gallons a month.
  • Turning off water while shampooing and conditioning your hair can save 50 gallons a week.
  • Running your dishwasher and washing machine only when they are filled can save 1,000 gallons a month.
  • Choosing a water-saving model when replacing a washing machine can save up to 20 gallons per load.
Keeping Sewer Lines Clean
  • Do not put tampons, feminine pads, diapers, or egg shells in toilets, drains or garbage disposals they cause blockages in the sewer line.
For information on xeriscaping and drought tolerant plants visit: