How can I do my part to conserve water?

Much of Arizona is in the Sonoran Desert. Add that to the years-long drought across the state, and Arizona has a water shortage.

Do your part to conserve water by making some changes both indoors and outdoors.

Indoors:

• Fill the sink with water when washing the dishes. Don’t let the water run continuously.
• Have your evaporative cooler inspected and maintained every year.
• Don’t run the washer, dryer or dishwasher until it’s full.
• Use your garbage disposal sparingly. It’s a water-waster.
• Compare your water bill to prior months to learn if you’re using more water than usual.
• Replace your old shower heads and toilets with new, water-efficient models.
• When you replace your appliances, choose models with load-size and cycle adjustments.
• Take shorter showers. You’ll save 1,000 gallons of water a month if you limit shower time to five minutes.

Outdoors:

• Adjust your sprinklers so they water only your lawn and not the house, sidewalk or street.
• Cover your pool and hot tub.
• Water lawns and plants in the morning when temperatures are cooler and less water will evaporate.
• Mulch around plants to reduce evaporation.
• Sweep, don’t hose, your driveway and sidewalk. You can save up to 80 gallons of water every time.
• Water your lawn only when needed instead of on an automatic schedule. Also, install a rain shut-off device on your automatic sprinklers to eliminate unnecessary watering.
• Let your grass grow a tiny bit longer. Longer grass shades roots so they hold moisture better than short grass.
• Gradually replace the plants in your yard with varieties that require less water.
• Learn exactly how much water each kind of plant on your lawn needs to stay healthy.
• Then water the plants that much and not a drop more.

For 100 ways to conserve water, visit WaterUseItWisely.com.