Fresh water is a finite resource, even here in Woburn. The Horn Pond aquifer can supply the City with enough good, clean water during the winter months, but during the warmer months water use increases City-wide and the system needs to be supplemented with water purchased from the Massachusetts Water Resource Authority (MWRA). Reduced water use during these months would result in less water purchased from the MWRA. Below are some easy, everyday things everyone could do in and around their homes to reduce water use.
Outdoors
- Do not water your plants between the hours of 9:00 am and 5:00 pm. The sun is at its brightest, therefore less water will be absorbed into the soil and more will be evaporated.
- Purchase a rain barrel to conserve water. Rainwater has multiple uses, and using it is cost efficient.
- Purchase a water efficient nozzle for your hose that prevents misting.
- Use mulch! It helps lock in moisture.
- Plant plants that are NOT foreign to the area. They will live longer!
- Use a broom instead of water to clean patios, driveways, etc.
- Water requirement for fall and spring is lower- do not overwater at these times of the year!
- Don’t water your lawn on rainy or windy days.
- Apply less fertilizer because it increases water consumption.
- Leaving lawn clippings on the ground helps the ground stay moist!
- Group plants with similar watering needs to prevent overwatering and underwatering.
- Start a compost pile.
- Summer Activities
- Cover your pool when you are done using it! This will evaporation and can help keep your pool warmer too.
- Do not fill your pool all the way.
- Play with your hose in areas of lawn that need to be watered.
- Use rain barrel to fill water balloons.
Car Washes
- If available, go to car washes that conserve and recycle their wash water.
- Use self-service car washes since they use the least amount of water due to high pressure hoses.
- Don’t leave the hose running when washing a vehicle.
- Use a squeeze pistol grip nozzle for hose so you don’t have to turn on the water to start/stop the flow.
- The most water efficient method for washing your car is the old school “bucket and sponge.”
- Use detergents that do not harm the environment!
- If possible when washing your car at home, park on grass so the water runs into the ground instead of down your driveway into the street.
Leaks
Repair leaks in fixtures because leaky faucets, pipes, toilets, and shower heads can waste gallons of water in a short period of time.- Use dye tablets or food coloring to test your toilet for leaks.
Bathroom
- Take a shower instead of a bath. This will save gallons of water.
- Take quicker showers! The average 10 minute shower uses 25- 75 gallons of water.
- Purchase water efficient toilets that allow you to flush with less water when possible.
- Do not let your water run while you are brushing your teeth, soaping your hands, and shaving.
- “If it’s yellow let it mellow, if it’s brown flush it down”
- Throw tissues in the trash; do not flush them down the toilet!
Pets
Wash your dog in the lawn where the grass needs to grow, or even better, let the groomer wash them.- Use leftover fish tank water to water potted plants. This water is full of nutrients that plants could use.
- When refilling old dog water, dump it onto grass outside to water your grass.
- Use dry shampoo for your dog.
- DO NOT place dog waste into catch basins! Catch basins drain into our water systems!
Kitchen
- If you drop ice cubes inside, throw them in your plants or grass instead of placing them down the sink or letting them melt on the ground.
- Use reusable water bottles!
- Use a basin of water for washing dishes instead of running dishes under the sink (only if you do not own a dishwasher because dishwashers use less water than washing dishes by hand).
- Thaw food in the refrigerator instead of using running water to do so.
- Scrape leftover food into the trash instead of using water to scrub it off in the sink.
- Rinse fruit and veggies off in a pot instead of under running water.
Laundry
- Try to limit the amount of clothes you wash and the number of times you do laundry a day. Reuse towels (and also clothes) that aren’t dirty.
- Wash only full loads.
- On a washing machine, select and use appropriate water levels/load size selections.
- Consider using a high efficiency washing machine since it can save over 50% in energy and water use!
- Use front loading washers because they conserve more water than other types of washers.
