The summer is a fun time for all, but the season can also present a bit of a dilemma for homeowners.
Summer fun and lawn care requires greater water use in the household, which can raise water bills as well as be counterproductive to water conservation efforts to help the environment.
Summer fun and being water conscious don’t have to be mutually exclusive. By taking more active steps to cut back in other areas in your household, you can have your cake and eat it too. We’ve compiled some helpful tips for you.
Maintain Your Plumbing and Avoid Water Waste
Consider upgrading your plumbing to more water-friendly fixtures, like low-flow shower heads, dual flush toilets and motion activated faucets. Get in the habit of inspecting your home for possible plumbing leaks, which can be a huge source of water waste.
Look for damp spots on the walls and flooring; be aware of pooling water around fixtures or moisture on pipes. If you sense a musty odor, that could be the sign of a leak.
Other trouble signs include an unexplained increase in your water bills and low water pressure.
Smart Lawn and Garden Care
Your sprinkler and hoses are important tools to help keep your lawn and garden in tip top shape, but make sure that you are smart about how you use them. Attach a misting nozzle to your hose to water your garden, rather than using the full spray.
Make sure that hoses are in good condition, cracked hoses will leak water. Aim your sprinkler at the lawn only, not the sidewalk or driveway. Use an adjustable sprinkler so that you can be more accurate in your watering (remember to run through it for a better experience).
Look for other ways to get water, like catching rain in a rain barrel, or using reserved water from cooking or after cleaning your fish tank.
Outdoor Water Activities
Get ready to make the most of backyard bay with these fun water activities. Build a colorful sprinkler by attaching a pool noodle with holes punched in it to your hose.
Fill water balloons and hang them for a piñata party. Play water balloon baseball. Construct a “kid wash” by making a frame out of PVC piping, punching holes and attaching your hose.
Always engage in water play on an area of your lawn that needs extra watering, so that water can do double duty.
