Community Corner
Frugal Family - 5 Ways to Waste Water
We are currently experiencing a serious drought here in Georgia. If you want to help conserve water, don't do the following 5 things.
1. Take a long, hot shower every day.
Unless you have a job that requires you to grunt and sweat, or you just love to work out, you probably don’t really need to shower every single day. A quick, 5-minutes-or-less shower every other day is plenty in a time of drought.
2. Leave the water running while you brush your teeth.
When you are at the sink, try to let as little water run down the drain as possible. When you are brushing your teeth, washing your hands, or shaving, turn the water off. Remember, think at the sink. It is also a good idea to turn the water off while you are soaping up in the shower.
3. Ignore the leaky faucet.
Drip, drip, drip...do something about it! A faucet that leaks at the rate of one drop per second will waste about 2,700 gallons of water per year. By replacing rubber washers, you will save a great deal of water and money.
4. Take good care of your grass.
How important is your bright green lawn? How much money does it take to maintain it? And how much water is used? In times of drought, it helps to reduce the fescue and replace it with other ornamental, drought-tolerant grasses. Xeriscaping is a popular new trend in gardening that is based on creating beautiful garden space without the presence of sensitive, thirsty plants.
5. Water your driveway.
When setting up a sprinkler or drip irrigation system in your yard, it helps to be mindful of where exactly the water is going. If water is running into the driveway and the street, this can’t be good for your wallet or your plants. Also talk to county officials about getting a separate meter for your irrigation system.
