South Berwick Water District | South Berwick, Maine

Conservation Tips

Spring/Summer Conservation Tips
1.		Don't Overwater Your Lawn! Lawns really only need a small amount of water to survive. We agree, they need a little bit more to stay green, but watch out for the water running off the grass and down the street or driveway. In the summer, 50% to 70% of the water demand is for outdoor use. And if a garden hose is accidentally left on overnight, it may use twice as much water as the average family uses in a month!
2.		Put the brakes on that hose When washing your car, use a hose nozzle that shuts off between rinses rather than letting the water run.
3.		Set sprinklers sparingly Applying water more rapidly than the soil can absorb it doesn't help your lawn or garden, and simply wastes water.
4.		Wait out the wind Don't water your lawn or garden on windy days. Overspray and evaporation will cause you to use much more water than normal.
5.		Whack those weeds Weeds compete for water with grass, flowers and garden plants.
6.		Keep it moist with mulch Use mulches, such as woven weed barrier, bark, sawdust, or compost to help planting beds retain moisture.

General Conservation Tips
1.		A steady drip from a faucet can waste 350 gallons a year. A new washer often does the trick. Check outside faucets/spigots as well.
2.		Be sure to only run the washer or dishwasher with full loads.
3.		Don't waste toilet flushes on hair, paper towels, tissues or other things that belong in the trash. Save gallons every time.
4.		Keep a pitcher or gallon jugs of tap water in the fridge rather than running the faucet to get a cold drink. If you have to run the faucet to get cold or hot water, fill a container while it runs and use it to water plants or pets.
5.		Turning off the water when you brush your teeth can save 4 gallons a minute. A family of four can save 200 gallons a week just by following this simple tip.
6.		Spy on your toilet. Silent leaks in toilets are common water wasters. To test, drip a little food coloring into the tank (not the bowl). Wait 5 to 10 minutes - do not flush. If you see the dye in the toilet bowl, you have a silent leak. A new flapper valve or other simple hardware fix usually stops the leak. A leaky toilet alone can waste up to 50,000 gallons of water a year.
7.		Don't use water to thaw foods.
8.		Install aerators on your faucets.
9.		Keep your plant water pitcher in your bathroom, and fill it with your shower water as you let the water warm up.
10.		Soak pots and pans instead of letting the water run while you scrape them clean.