TIPS FOR SAVING WATER

TIPS FOR SAVING WATER
When in Drought or Not – Please Do Your Part!

OUTDOOR WATER USE

1. LIMIT LAWN WATERING, ESPECIALLY DURING A DROUGHT¹
   Lawns naturally go dormant during dry conditions. They’ll revive when conditions improve.
   • If you are in a region at Drought Level 3, Critical Drought (Severe Drought Conditions) or Drought Level 4, Emergency Drought: Do not water your lawn.
   • If you are in a region at Drought Level 2, Significant Drought (Moderate to Severe Drought): Limit watering to hand-held only or drip irrigation. Water after 5PM or before 9AM to avoid evaporative losses.
   • If you are in a region at Drought Level 1, Mild Drought (Abnormally Dry Conditions): Limit watering to 1 day per week at most. Water after 5PM or before 9AM.
2. MINIMIZE LANDSCAPE WATER NEEDS THROUGH WATER-SMART LANDSCAPING PRINCIPLES²
   • Maintain healthy soils (a minimum of 6-inches in depth, where possible).
   • Choose native plants or plants and turf that need less water.
   • Use mulch to reduce evaporation and moderate soil temperature.
   • Leave grass clippings on lawn to shade and return nutrients to soil.
3. MINIMIZE YOUR USE OF WATER OUTDOORS
   • Sweep driveways, walks, patios, and other outdoor areas with a broom rather than hosing them off.
   • Wash vehicles using a bucket and sponge, employing a hose with a shut-off nozzle for rinse only, or, if available, use a commercial car wash that recycles water (most do).
   • Cover swimming pools when not in use to prevent evaporation.

INDOOR WATER USE

1. Choose high-efficiency plumbing products and appliances (look for the WaterSense or Energy Star labels).
2. Turn off water while brushing teeth or shaving: “Never Let the Water Run.”
3. Take shorter showers (5 minutes or less) and use water-saving showerheads.
4. Wash only full loads of laundry and dishes.
5. Fix leaks! Dripping faucets and leaking toilets, pipes, and appliances can add up to hundreds of gallons of water lost per week.
6. Create a kitchen compost bin instead of using the garbage disposal.
7. Collect and reuse clean household water (water running while you wait for hot water to reach your faucet or shower; leftover water from cooking, etc.) and use this to water plants.

¹Certain water uses are not subject to mandatory restrictions, such as water used: for health or safety reasons; for the production of food and fiber; for the maintenance of livestock; to meet the core functions of a business (for example, irrigation by plant nurseries as necessary to maintain stock).

²Adapted from Water-Smart Landscapes Start with WaterSense (EPA WaterSense)

To check your drought region and status go to: mass.gov/ma-drought-management