Water Conservation
All of the water that arrives at your home through City of Tulsa
pipes is treated drinking water. About half of that water is used
inside the house, with bathroom facilities claiming about 75% of
water used indoors.
INDOOR USES
Toilets. The average toilet flush uses 7
gallons of water. TIPS: Reduce the amount by placing a plastic
bottle filled with water and pebbles in the toilet tank. Low-flow
toilets are available for purchase. Don't use the toilet as a
wastebasket for tissues and other things that should be placed in
the trash can.
Leaks. Check for leaks in your toilet by adding
food coloring to the water in the toilet tank, and, before
flushing, watch to see if any of it seeps into the toilet bowl. You
may need a new "flapper" mechanism to repair the leak.
Showers. The average five-minute shower takes
15-25 gallons of water. TIPS: Try "The Navy Way." Sailors are
taught to turn on the shower just to get wet, then turn it off
while soaping and scrubbing, then turn it on briefly to rinse off.
Also, try a water-saving shower head.
Baths. A full tub holds about 50 gallons of
water. TIP: Use only a partially full tub.
Shaving, Brushing Teeth, Washing Hands. These
uses average 1 gallon of water per minute when the water is left
running. TIP: Turn off the water during the process and only use it
at the start and end of the procedure.
KITCHEN
Prepare Food Efficiently. TIPS: Spray water in
short bursts. Defrost food in the microwave or overnight in the
refrigerator, not with running water.
Garbage Disposal. Avoid using the disposal as
it can cause sewer backups if not adequately flushed with water. A
running faucet wastes about a gallon per minute. TIP: Compost your
food waste to make your own nutrient rich soil and save water.
Drinking water. Keep a pitcher of water in the
refrigerator, rather than running the tap water until it gets cold.
TIP: At restaurants, only order water if you plan to drink it.
Washing Dishes. Hand washing dishes can use up
to 20 gallons per occasion. The automatic dishwasher only uses 9 to
12 gallons. TIP: Only run your dishwasher when it is full of
dishes, not partially loaded.
Laundry. A full laundry load uses about 40
gallons of water. TIPS: Select the appropriate water level for the
size of your load: small, medium and large. Use full loads when
possible. Save energy by using cold water to wash. Pre-soak really
dirty items and use a low-suds detergent.
Water-saving devices. Put a low-flow aerator on
your faucets. Wrap your hot water pipes and your hot water heater
with insulation to avoid running the water until it gets hot.
Aquariums. When cleaning out your tank, use the
old water on your houseplants, to add nutrients to the soil!
OUTDOOR USES
Remember that half of the treated drinking water brought to your
home through City of Tulsa pipes is used outside the home.
Lawns and Plants. Plant drought-tolerant
bushes, shrubs, trees and grasses, or plants that are native
(naturally found) in your area. They will do well with the amount
of rain that normally falls. TIP: Keep your garden free of
water-consuming weeds. Also, mulch your gardens and flower beds to
cut back on evaporation. Water slowly, thoroughly and
infrequently.
Lawn watering. Be efficient. TIPS: Heat and
wind cause water to evaporate. Avoid watering on windy days, water
in the cool of the day (morning) to avoid excess evaporation and
the growth of mildew and mold. Aerate your lawn so that water flows
down into the ground. Don't allow the sprinkler to water the
pavement. Let the grass grow taller in hot, dry weather, then set
your mower one notch higher.
Washing the Car. If you must wash your car in
the driveway, use a bucket of water, and a hose with a nozzle that
turns off. TIP: Go to the carwash. That way the soapy water washes
down a sewer drain and is appropriately treated at the sewage
treatment plant. When you wash your car in the driveway, or even in
your yard, the soapy, carwash water that runs into the street goes
down into the storm drain and is not treated before it goes into
the river.
Cleaning off sidewalks: Using the hose to wash
away debris or leaves can use 25 gallons of water in about five
minutes. TIP: Use a broom and rake instead.
Pools and spas. Cover them to reduce
evaporation. Lower water levels to reduce splashing and
overflows.
