Water Conservation: What Can You Do?

The Town of Morden encourages the conservation of water by all customers. Reducing your water usage will help to lower your bill and is beneficial to the environment. Here are some ways that you can conserve water;

In The Bathroom

  • Do not use the toilet as a wastebasket. Each time you flush, up to seven gallons are used.
  • Do not let the faucet run while shaving or brushing teeth.
  • Place an item such as a plastic bottle filled with sand inside your toilet tank. This displaces water and can save gallons every day.
  • Insulate pipes to get hot water faster, so less water is wasted.
  • Install water saving showerheads or flow restrictions. Install faucet aerators, which will reduce water by mixing water and air.
  • Take short showers instead of tub baths.
  • Before pouring water down the drain, consider other uses for it, such as watering a plant or garden.

Outdoors

  • Water your lawn only when needed. If the grass springs back up after stepping on it, it does not need watering. Water during the cool parts of the day. Deep-soak your lawn so that the water soaks down to the roots. A light sprinkling will only evaporate and cause shallow root systems, which will require more and more watering. (Avoid mist-head sprinklers as they allow too much water to evaporate.)
  • Keep grass 1 1/2" to 2" long to develop deeper roots, which will require less watering.
  • Sweep driveways, patios and walks with a broom rather than hosing them down.
  • Wash the car from a bucket, or consider using a commercial car wash that recycles water.
  • When using a hose, control the flow with an automatic shutoff nozzle.
  • Avoid purchasing water toys that require a constant stream of water.
  • Always check for leaks in pipes, hoses, faucets and couplings.
  • Buckets placed under down spouts can collect rainwater for plants or cleaning projects.
  • Use water from dehumidifiers for plants.
  • Use a swimming pool cover to reduce evaporation by 90%. Approximately 1000 gallons of water evaporates from an uncovered pool each month.

In The Kitchen

  • Operate the dishwasher only when completely full.
  • Use steamers or cover food in a pan with a minimal amount of water. Use a tight lid to conserve moisture.
  • Thaw frozen foods in advance in the fridge to eliminate thawing under warm water.
  • Keep a container of water in the fridge rather than letting water run to get a cold drink.
  • To clean vegetables, use the sink or a bowl of water. Scrub with a vegetable brush and turn on the water for a quick rinse.
  • When hand washing dishes, rather than spraying or running the tap to rinse, use a pan of hot water which can later be used for plants or other cleaning projects.

In The Laundry

  • Use the appropriate water level or load size selection on the washing machine.
  • Wash full loads whenever possible.

A Final Note

Remember, leaks don't go away on their own, they only get worse with time. They cause property damage and can become expensive to repair. Take care of leaks as soon as they are identified, it saves water, money, and limits the complications of water damage. If you're going to be gone for an extended period of time, you might consider shutting off your main water line (irrigation and sprinkling systems should be left on). This should reduce the likelihood that a leak will cause damage while you're away.