Are You Water Smart

DID YOU KNOW?

• Water covers 70.9 percent of the planet's surface.
• 97 percent of the water on earth is salt water; the water found in the earth's lakes, rivers, streams, ponds, swamps, etc., account for only 0.3 percent of the world's fresh water. The rest is trapped in glaciers or is underground.
• In a year, the average American residence uses over 100,000 gallons.
• Since the average faucet releases 2 gallons of water per minute, you can save up to four gallons of water every morning by turning off the tap while you brush your teeth.
• A running toilet can waste up to 200 gallons of water each day.
• At one drip per second, a faucet can leak 3,000 gallons in a year.
• A bath uses up to 70 gallons of water; a five-minute shower uses 10 to 25 gallons.
• Grass that is overwatered will often exhibit some of the same symptoms as grass that needs water. If you notice the symptoms, but the soil is damp, hold off on watering.
• Aerating your lawn once a year can increase the soil's infiltration rate (the rate at which it absorbs water) and reduce runoff problems.

What Can I Do?

• Perform monthly inspections:
  • Check all your toilets
  • Check all your faucets
  • Check all your irrigation sprinkler heads
  • Check out side ground for soft spots (could be a broken water pipe)
• Fix water leaks inside and outside your residence or commercial building
• Take shorter showers
• Wash full loads of laundry
• Use a dishwasher (full loads)
• Water lawns before 9am and after the sun goes down
• Plant native grass, flowers and shrubs
  • Flowers for Mountain Communities (PDF)
  • Xeriscaping Perennials & Annual Flowers (PDF)
  • Water wise Landscaping Best Practices Manual (PDF)
• Adjust sprinkler system to water lawns not sidewalks, driveway and streets
• Be Water Smart—Don not take water for granted
• 100 Ways to Save Water visit: - 100 Ways to Conserve

ARE YOU PREPARED IF WATER RESTRICTIONS ARE ENFORCED?