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Instead of running sprinklers every
day, water lawn only when it needs it or just give it a good soak once a
week. If the grass springs back when you step on it, there's no need to
water (saves 750-1500 gal./mo.). |
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Mulch (chunks of bark, peat moss,
or gravel) covers bare ground in gardens and around trees with tasteful
good looks, discourages weeds, helps keep the ground from overheating, and
holds moisture and slows down evaporation (saves 750 gal./mo.) |
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If you have a pool, use a pool
cover to cut down on evaporation. It will also keep your pool cleaner and
reduce the need to add chemicals (saves 1300 gal./mo.) |
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Water the lawn in the early morning
or evening when there's less evaporation (saves 300 gal./mo.). Plant drought-resistant
native trees and plants (saves 750-1500 gal./mo.). Adjust your sprinklers
so they don't water the sidewalk, driveway and street (saves 500 gal./mo.)
Skip watering the lawn on a windy day when there's too much evaporation
(saves 200-300 gal. each time). |
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Cut down watering on cool, over-cast
or rainy days. Adjust or deactivate automatic sprinklers (saves 200-300
gal. each time). |
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Set lawn mower blades 1 notch higher
since longer grass means less evaporation (save 500-1500 gal./mo.) |
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Sweep driveways, patios and sidewalks
instead of using the hose every time you clean them. Ask your gardener to
do the same (saves 150 gal. or more each time). |
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If you let your children play in
the sprinklers, make sure it's only when you're also watering the yard.
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Wash your car using a bucket of
water and a quick hose rinse at the end instead of letting the hose run
continuously (saves 150 gal. each time). |
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Turn the empty water glass upside
down in a restaurant if you don't want water. Not only will you save the
water you don't drink, you'll also save the water used to wash the glass
(collectively, saves millions of gal./year). |
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