Tips to Conserve Water During The Drought

[Nikki Andrews wrote this article during the summer drought in 2022. While these tips may, at times, seem less important, we’re certain to need them again. Weather patterns are changing; some years bring drought, some bring heavy rain, and change is the only certainty. Conserving water won’t do any harm and there will be times it may be all that can help!]


Although the watering ban has been lifted and we’ve had some soaking rains, you may want to keep these tips from your friendly Conservation Commission to help you conserve water. Remember, even if you’re on a well, you need to protect the underground aquifer for yourself and others!

1. If it's brown, flush it down. If it's yellow, let it mellow. (Toilets use more water than any other household appliance.)

2. Water your food plants, not your flowers or grass. Well, okay, water your daisies and daylilies; you can eat them!

3. Most plants will do fine if watered with used dishwater, especially if you use a non-detergent cleaner. Run your dishwasher only when it’s chock full. You can also use the water from cooking vegetables and bathing the kids, but let it cool first.

4. Whatever you absolutely must water, do it at night to reduce evaporation and cool the soil. (Besides, you’ll mystify the neighbors.) If you can, use a soaker hose rather than a sprinkler.

5. If you garden, cover any bare soil with straw to reduce evaporation.

6. A dirty car is harder for the police to radar. (No idea if that's true, but it sounds good.) Seriously, your car will work just fine if it’s dusty.

7. The condensation from a/c and dehumidifiers is clean and usable for washing. Or for watering your food plants.

8. Turn off the water while brushing your teeth. You wouldn’t believe how much water that habit wastes. If you need hot water to rinse your mouth, at least catch and save the cool stuff.

9. We're all in this together: Shower with a friend. (And do a tick check while you’re at it.)