Saving water on your own

Check for leaks:  turn off all your water faucets and hoses and look at your water meter.   If it is moving you have a leak and need to do further investigating.

In the Kitchen

• Scrape plates in to the green recycle can.  This will reduce use of the garbage disposal.

• Keep a small tub in the sink and soak dishes before loading in the dishwasher instead of rinsing under running water. 

• Use less dish detergent when hand washing to reduce rinse water.

• Run only full loads in dishwasher

• Hand washing dishes uses more water.  Full loads in the dishwasher are a better choice.

• Do not defrost foods in hot water.  Take food out of the freezer the day before using and store in the refrigerator.

• Soak fruits and vegetables to clean them instead of rinsing under running water.

• Install low flow aerators on all faucets in the kitchen and bath (EBMUD has free devices)     

In the Bathroom

• Fix a running toilet by replacing the flapper (the hardware store can help you with this).

• Only in older, large tank toilets you can drop in a brick, bag with pebbles or a “tummy toilet” available from EBMUD to displace water and reduce the total capacity of each flush.

• EBMUD offers rebates of up to $150.00 for replacement qualifying high efficiency toilets.

• Learn to take a shorter shower by timing your shower, then making a goal (with a clock) to reduce your shower by a minute each day for 5 days.

• Turn off running water while brushing your teeth and shaving.

• Install low flow showerhead or flow restrictors (EBMUD provides one fee showerhead per household).

Laundry

• Wash only full loads

• Reclaim run-off by diverting out flow water hose in to a large plastic garbage can to use to outdoor watering.  (Use only biodegradable detergent if you are going to do this).

• Upgrade your old washer to a high efficiency model with a possible rebate from EBMUD of up to $200.00.

Outdoors:

• Stop washing the driveway and use a broom…its good exercise too.

• “Water slow and low”.  

• Turn off the water before there is run off.

• Slow water will seep in to the dirt more efficiently.

• Water early in the morning (best) or late in the evening when the sun and wind are less apt to evaporate the water.

• Adjust irrigation controls seasonally.

• Add mulch to your garden to maintain moisture, suppress weeds and protect your irrigation system.

For information regarding free aerators, showers heads and possible rebates go to www.ebmud.com

In addition to reducing water use from the tap, you can also reuse “graywater”.

What is graywater?  Any water that has been used in the home, except water from toilets, is called graywater. Dish, shower, sink, and laundry water comprise 50-80% of residential “waste” water. This may be reused for other purposes, especially landscape irrigation.

Ways to use Graywater:

• Soak dishes before loading the dishwasher
• Flush toilets
• Water indoor and outdoor plants.

other websites:

www.graywater.net

www.monolake.org/waterconservation

Clutter Free Holiday Gift Ideas

Looking for ideas that save on stuff, but are long on appreciation, read on...

Homeade Service Gifts:  Capitalize on your talents and time.  Here are just a few suggestions for certificates you could give....

• breakfast in bed
• babysitting
• yard work
• photo album assembly
• house or car cleaning

Professional Service Gift Certificates:

• massage
• nail salon
• car wash or detail
• video transfer to CD
• consultation with Interior Designer or Architect
• family portrait
• nutritionist
• Consultation with a Professional Organizer

Financial Gifts:

• 529 college account contributions
• donations to charities that are meaningful to you or to the recipient.

Consumable Gifts:

• If  you are a baker make your favorite recipes like muffins, scones, pies, cakes, cookies, etc.
• More of a cook?  How about a certificate for an entire meal preapred (just needs to be reheated).  Include starters, salad, entree, sides, dessert and beverages.
• Purchased food gifts are great for individuals like the neighbor, dog walker, babysittrer or for groups like an office group and teachers.

Educational Gifts:

• Dance lessons
• Art or craft classes
• Musical instrument or singing lessons
• Magic classes
• A session with a personal trainer, yoga classes or karate instruction.
• Cooking class
• Language class
• Computer class
• Web Site assistance
• Business Coach session
• Life Coach session

Memberships, tickets and other events:

• Museum passes
• Theater tickets
• Aquarium passes
• Kid or amusement park passes
• Karting Track tickets
• Movie passes
• Concert tickets

Technology Gifts:
Gift Cards for

• downloadable music
• computer software
• phone time.

Do you have more ideas? Please send them to me so I can post them.