Save water AND money this summer!

Water: our most precious resource, and in many states, a resource made even more precious by its scarcity this year. The good news is that many water districts and conservation agencies are offering free tips on ways to save water at home this summer (and beyond), and thus save money!  So in honor of Smart Irrigation Month, why not pledge to learn one new thing about water conservation?

According to the EPA, “The average household spends as much as $500 per year on its water and sewer bill,” but by being more wise about water use, the average consumers could “save about $170 per year.” (http://www.epa.gov/watersense/pp/irrprof.htm)

Water Sense, offered by the Environmental Protection Agency is a top-notch resource on how to achieve those savings. Water Sense directs consumers toward certain rebate programs, and incentives for being water conscious.  Educational materials on water are offered for teachers (http://www.epa.gov/watersense/water/drop.htm), alongside tips on saving water (such as checking for plumbing leaks and investing in water-saving devices such as low-flow toilets and irrigation systems).  Water Sense recommends smart controllers, as they note that “up to 1.5 billion gallons” of water is wasted every day in the U.S. because of over-watering outside.

BeWaterWise is another excellent resource for water conservation information. Offered through the MWD, BeWaterWise offers not only many rebates for water-saving devices, but also offers many tips to homeowners and businesses on how to save water. It includes a free watering calculator (http://www.bewaterwise.com/calculator.html) to visitors, to help them determine exactly how much water they should be devoting to their landscapes each week. Other tips include fixing leaking faucets (to save up to an estimated 20 gallons per day) and shortening showers (around 5 gallons of water per day).

Those served by the MWD who are interested in rebates can consult the MWD’s Save a Buck program Web site soon (http://www.mwdsaveabuck.com/), since rebate reservations are required and availability is limited.

Even those who don’t live in Nevada may be familiar with the South Nevada Water Authority (SNWA)(http://www.snwa.com), which partnered with the EPA on the water sense program to push for greater water conservation.  The SNWA offers rebate programs and many tips on saving water. The SNWA’s Board of Directors has set the ambitious “conservation goal” of using only 199 gallons of water, per capita, every day, by 2035.

Visitors to the SNWA’s Web site can find rebate coupons, how-to videos on saving water around the house, and how to look for leaks around the home, and fix them. Consumers who need direct assistance can also call a conservation helpline. The SNWA’s Water Smart Landscapes program offers rebates of $1.00-1.50 “per square foot of grass removed and replaced with desert landscaping.” Converting landscapes to more climate-appropriate designs not only saves water, but saves money for the homeowner!

SNWA is one of the sources for another well-known conservation site, H20Use Water Saver Home (include url).  According to the H20Use Water Saver Home, alternating garden waterings (every other day), watering at night, careful irrigation scheduling, and repairing all leaks are three key ways to save water outside.  The site also includes a virtual home tour that doubles as a water-saving guide, which was put together by the EPA and the California Urban Water Conservation Council (CUWCC).  The CUWCC estimates that somewhere between 41 gallons of water per household and 472 gallons of water per commercial site can be saved every day by switching to an automatic weather-based irrigation system!  This is why July is Smart Irrigation Month!