LIVE BOZEMAN STYLE

With restrictions in place - tools to help reduce your consumption are even more valuable. Be sure to check out last weeks post about rebates available for efficiency upgrades and peruse the City's list of suggestions to save.

What small changes could you make to make a big difference?

Don't forget, the City will hit you in your pocketbook for excess, so changes are not only better for the environment,

but also your financial health!

Your Water Saving Tips

Courtesy of the City of Bozeman DripCounter website

Change Habits

• Wash your fruits and vegetables in a pan of water instead of running water from the tap.
• If your dishwasher is new, cut back on rinsing. Newer models clean more thoroughly than older ones.
• Minimize or eliminate the use of waterfalls and sprays in your pool. Aeration increases evaporation.
• Use the garbage disposal sparingly. Instead, compost vegetable food waste and save gallons every time.
• If you have an automatic refilling device, check your pool periodically for leaks.
• Run your washer and dishwasher only when they are full.
• Don't use running water to thaw food. For water efficiency and food safety, defrost food in the refrigerator.
• Turn off the water while washing your hair and save up to 150 gallons a month.
• When washing dishes by hand, don't let the water run. Fill one basin with wash water and the other with rinse water.
• Take 5-minute showers instead of baths. A full bathtub requires up to 70 gallons of water.
• Keep water in the pool when playing and save water.
• When doing laundry, match the water level to the size of the load.
• Time your shower to keep it under 5 minutes. The average shower uses over 2 gallons per minute.
• Plug the sink instead of running the water to rinse your razor and save up to 300 gallons a month.
• Drop tissues in the trash instead of flushing them and save water every time.
• Teach children to turn off faucets tightly after each use.
• When washing your hands, turn the water off while you lather.
• Designate one glass for your drinking water each day, or refill a water bottle. This will cut down on the number of glasses to wash.
• Reuse your towels at home or while staying in a hotel.
• When running a bath, plug the bathtub before turning on the water. Adjust the temperature as the tub fills.
• Turn off the water while you brush your teeth and save up to 4 gallons a minute.
• Use a broom instead of a hose to clean patios, sidewalks and driveways, and save water every time.

Yard Tips

• Water dry spots by hand instead of running the whole irrigation system longer.
• Use a trowel, shovel, or soil probe to examine soil moisture depth. If the top two to three inches of soil are dry, it's time to water.
• Make sure you only water when the sun is down to reduce evaporation losses. The best time to water is between midnight and 6 a.m. because evaporation in kept to a minimum.
• Catch water in an empty tuna can to measure sprinkler output. 3/4 to 1 inch of water is enough to apply each time you irrigate. Water your lawn once every three days in the summer and less in the spring and fall.
• If water runs off your lawn easily, split your watering time into shorter periods to allow for better absorption.
• Adjust your watering schedule each month to match seasonal weather conditions and landscape requirements.
• Minimize evaporation by watering during the early morning hours when temperatures are cooler and winds are lighter.
• Don't water your lawn on windy days when most of the water blows away or evaporates.
• Timing is everything when it comes to irrigation. Learn how to set your controller properly.
• Apply water only as fast as the soil can absorb it.
• While fertilizers promote plant growth, they also increase water consumption. Apply the minimum amount of fertilizer needed.
• Use sprinklers that deliver big drops of water close to the ground. Smaller drops and mist often evaporate before hitting the ground.
• Use drip irrigation for shrubs and trees to apply water directly to the roots, where it's needed.
• Set a kitchen timer when using the hose as a reminder to turn it off. A running hose can discharge up to 10 gallons per minute.
• Use a rain barrel to harvest rainwater from gutters for watering gardens and landscapes.

Upgrade

• Trickling or cascading fountains lose less water to evaporation than those that spray water into the air.
• Install water-saving aerators on all of your faucets.
• When shopping for a new washing machine, compare resource savings among Energy Star models. Some can save up to 20 gallons of water per load.
• For more immediate hot water and energy savings, insulate hot water pipes.
• Make sure your swimming pools, fountains and ponds are equipped with recirculating pumps.
• Use a WaterSense labeled showerhead. They're inexpensive and easy to install.
• If your toilet was installed before 1992, purchasing a WaterSense labeled toilet can reduce the amount of water used for each flush.
• Install a rain sensor on your irrigation controller so your system won't run when it's raining.
• Consider buying a dual-flush toilet. It has two flush options: a half-flush for liquid waste and a full-flush for solid waste.

Life Hacks

• For hanging baskets, planters and pots, put ice cubes on top of the soil to give your plants a cool drink of water without overflow.
• Know where your master water shut-off valve is located. Were a pipe to burst, this could save gallons of water and prevent damage.
• Use Dropcountr to monitor your water usage, and find new and easy ways to save water and money.
• Put food coloring in your toilet tank. If it seeps into the bowl without flushing, there's a leak. Fix it and start saving gallons.
• Set water softeners for a minimum number of refills to save both water and chemicals, plus energy, too.
• Report broken pipes, leaky hydrants and errant sprinklers to property owners or your local water provider.
• When you give your pet fresh water, don't throw the old water down the drain. Use it to water your trees or shrubs.
• Use a grease pencil to conduct a bucket test to check for pool leaks. An unnatural water level drop may indicate a leak.
• When back-washing your pool, consider using the water on salt-tolerant plants in the landscape.
• Use a pool cover to help keep your pool clean, reduce chemical use and prevent water loss through evaporation.
• While you wait for hot water, collect the running water and use it to water plants.
• Collect the water you use while rinsing fruit and vegetables. Use it to water house plants.
• Use a hose nozzle or turn off the water while you wash your car.
• Signs of overwatering: Leaves turn lighter shades of green or yellow, young shoots wilt, and sometimes algae or fungi grow.
• Don't overfill the pool. Lower water levels will reduce water loss due to splashing.
• Wash your pets outdoors, in an area of your lawn that needs water.
• Soak pots and pans instead of letting the water run while you scrape them clean.
• Washing dark clothes in cold water saves water and energy, and helps your clothes retain their color.

Maintain



• If your toilet flapper doesn't close properly after flushing, replace it.
• We're more likely to notice leaky faucets indoors, but don't forget to check outdoor faucets, pipes, and hoses.
• Learn how to shut off your automatic watering system in case of malfunctions or rain.
• Remember to periodically check your sprinkler system valves for leaks, and to keep sprinkler heads in good shape.
• One drip every second adds up to five gallons per day! Check your faucets and showerheads for leaks.
• Grab a wrench and fix that leaky faucet. It's simple, inexpensive, and you can save 140 gallons a week.
• Toilet leaks can be silent! Be sure to test your toilet for leaks at least once a year.
• Check your sprinkler system frequently and adjust sprinklers so only your lawn is watered and not the house, sidewalk or street.