Make saving water a family affair

When you look at Utah, it’s hard to believe we live in a desert. Even though our cities and mountains are flush with green trees and vegetation, water conservation is still very important, especially during years with dry winters. Here are some tips on how to conserve water both in and out of your home:

Kitchen – Washing dishes not only uses more water than dishwashers but it’s also a yucky, soapy job. Leave pans to soak in warm soapy water instead of letting water run over them. While you load your dishwasher, your pans will be soaking and ready for you to clean them up when you’re done. Another great way to conserve water is to reuse water bottles and keep a pitcher of cold water in the fridge.

Bathroom – Turning on the shower and letting it steam up the bathroom before you jump in is something many of us do. But shorten your shower by a few minutes and you will save about 150 gallons a month. You’ll save close to 1,000 if you keep showers to less than five minutes long. Keep bathroom faucets and taps in good shape and watch for any leaks. The annoying drip you hear in the middle of the night can waste up to five gallons of water a day!

Yard – Planting local plant species that are more drought-tolerant will go a long way in reducing your water bill. While a lawn is great, why not replace some of it with xeriscaping instead? It’s water-friendly and you won’t have to mow it. If you’re unsure which plants are native to your area, check with your local conservation garden. Starting a compost pile is another great idea. Using compost in your flower beds helps keep water where it needs to be.

Kids – When it’s hot outside, kids are drawn to the closest water source. If you’re lucky enough to have a pool, be sure to keep it covered when not in use to reduce evaporation. Also, don’t over-fill it since you’ll lose water to splashing. There isn’t anything wrong with letting your kids run through a sprinkler, so put the sprinkler in an area that needs to be watered anyway and it’ll keep little ones cool and your lawn healthy.

These are just a few great ways you can reduce water bill and save our precious resource. Just because we live in a desert doesn’t mean we can’t live well. Make water conservation a family affair and see how much you can save!