Conservation

Water conservation is a smart practice. Below are the top five actions you can take; these tips are provided by the California Urban Water Conservation Council and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency:

• Stop Those Leaks! Check indoor water-using appliances and equipment for leaks. Silent leaks allow water and your money to go down the drain. Studies have shown properties often waste more than 10% of their water due to leaking.
  
  One way to spot a leak is to turn off all your plumbing fixtures, including the valve to the washer, and look at your water meter. If your meter is moving, then you’re losing water through a leak. Also check around sinks and hot water faucets. Look for large wet areas in the lawn or sidewalk during dry periods.

• Replace your old toilet: Toilets are the largest users of water in your home. Homes built before 1992 often do not have water-efficient toilets. A water efficient toilet only uses 1.6 gallons of water per flush – less than half the amount used by older and conventional models. To find out when your toilet was made, check the manufacturer’s stamp, located on the inside of the tank. Fix running toilets, as they are a major contributor to water waste.

• Replace your clothes washer: The clothes washer is the second-largest water guzzler in your home. You can minimize this waste by purchasing an Energy Star™-rated washer that has a rating at or below 9.5. Washers with this rating use 35-50% less water, and 50% less energy, per load. The Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE) has developed a set of specifications for water-efficient washers, and has compiled a list of these and other energy efficient appliances.
  

• Plant the right plants: Whether you are putting in a new landscape or slowly replacing the old one, select plants and grasses that are appropriate for the Midwestern climate. This area of the country is home to a variety of beautiful prairie grasses and other native botanicals. For information on local plants and alternative landscaping techniques, start with the Chicago Botanical Gardens or the Morton Arboretum.

• Water only what your plants need: Watering your plants or lawn when it isn't needed, and at inappropriate times, are wasteful. It’s best to water plants during the nighttime hours, when evaporation is reduced. Be attentive: If you are manually watering, set a time limit.

See the Chicago Department of Water Management for more information on water conservation in the Chicago area. For more information on water-saving (i.e., money-saving) tips, visit H2OUSE . Review Chicago’s Water Agenda 2003 to learn what the city is doing to manage and conserve this resource for future generations.