Every Drop Counts: Conserve WATER Saving Water for Future Texans

Every Drop Counts: Every Drop Counts: Conserve WATERConserve WATER

Saving Water for Future Texans

Fun Facts about WaterFun Facts about Water

Human body is 66% water A living tree is about 75% water Almost 80% of the earth’s surface is

covered with water 59% of the water used by Texans

comes from groundwater

Water JeopardyWater Jeopardy

This much of the earth’s water is suitable for drinking.

What is ____________?

Average RainfallAverage Rainfall

7 ½ inches in Phoenix, AZ 15 inches in Denver, CO 22 inches in Honolulu, HI 36 inches in Seattle, WA 39 inches in College Station, TX 40 inches in New York City 50 inches in Atlanta, GA 67 inches in Mobile, AL 153 inches Ketchikan, AK

The The Rest of Rest of TexasTexas

AgriLife Extension encourages faculty, staff, students and citizens to conserve water as seriously low water levels in Texas and intermittent drought conditions throughout the state continue to threaten the water supply.

For constant information go to: http://agrilife.tamu.edu/drought/

Water Jeopardy Water Jeopardy

Category: Indoor Water Use Answer: 60 gallons

What is _________________?

Water Jeopardy Water Jeopardy

Category: Indoor Water Use Answer: 9.5 gallons

What is ________________?


Category: Indoor Water Use Answer: Toilet

What is ______________?

Residential Indoor Uses of WaterResidential Indoor Uses of Water

Toilet – 26.8%Toilet – 26.8%

Clothes Washer – 21.7%Clothes Washer – 21.7%Shower – 16.7%Shower – 16.7%

Faucet – 15.7%Faucet – 15.7%

Bath – 1.7%Bath – 1.7%

Dishwasher – 1.4%Dishwasher – 1.4%

Leaks – 13.7%Leaks – 13.7% Other – 2.3%Other – 2.3%

Source: Awwa Research Foundation (1999)Source: Awwa Research Foundation (1999)


Households use less water during this time of day.

What is ____________?

How much water do you use?How much water do you use?

Estimate the number of times you do the following on a day you are at home.ShowerFlush the toiletBrush your teethShaveDo a load of laundryRun the dishwasher

Estimated daily water useEstimated daily water useper personper person

1 x Shower 35 gallons = 3.5 gpm x 10 minutes

8 x Flush 40 gallons = 5 gallons x 8 flushes

[2 x Brush teeth] + [1 x Shave]5 gallons = 1 gpm x 5 minutes

1 x laundry40 gallons

1 x dishwasher20 gallons

TOTAL = 140 Gallons

Question: Are You a water saver or water waster?

How Much WaterHow Much WaterDo Texans Use?Do Texans Use?

Gallons Per Person Per Day

Winter Summer Ranking Comment

90-98 125-130 Efficient (112)

GOOD“Water Wiser”

122 158 Average(140)

OK“Average Joe”

Exceeds 148

Exceeds 180

Inefficient(170)

POOR“Water Hog”

How much water is really How much water is really used?used?

Statewide, the average Texan uses 140 gallons per day

Dallas residents use 213 gallons per person per day

Houstonians use 134 gallons per day San Antonio uses 149 gallons per

person per day

Source: Texas Water Development Board's most recent data.

5 Easy Water Saving Tips5 Easy Water Saving Tips

Wash laundry & dishes with full loads

Always turn off running water

Take shorter showers

Eliminate any and all leaks

Reduce the flow of toilets & showerheads

WWash a full load of laundryash a full load of laundry

Average water use Older washing machine 41 gallonsNew washing machine < 28 gallons

For small loads of laundry, adjust the water setting to a lower level.

WWash a full load of dishesash a full load of dishes

Average water use:Older machine - 8 to 15 gallonsNewer machine - 4 to 7 gallons

Don’t pre-rinse, just scrape the dishes Just a few dishes?

Wash in the sink or a dish panRinse with sprayer or in a pan

AAlways turn off running waterlways turn off running water Average faucet water flow:

Older 2 to 3 gallons per minuteNew ≤ 1.5 gallons per minute

Turn the water on and off when:Brushing your teethShavingSoaping-up in the shower

Keep drinking water in refrigerator Defrost food in the refrigerator Compost instead of using the garbage

disposal

Green Tip:Green Tip:AAlways save clean running water lways save clean running water

Collect water in buckets while waiting for shower water to warm

Use it for: Watering indoor plantsMopping the floorHousehold chores

Gray waterGray water Before reusing water or using “gray

water” from bathtubs, showers, sinks and washing machines, contact your local health department.

Note: Some communities do not allow the use of gray water.

TTake shorter showersake shorter showers Reduce your 10 minute shower to

5 minutes Save 18 gallons of water/day/person

Take a “navy shower”Turn the water off while you lather up

and shampoo Install a toggle switch to maintain a

consistent temperature Lower your bath water

Follow the 5-inch rule

EEliminate any and all leaksliminate any and all leaks

LEAKY FAUCETOne drop per second = 9.5 gallons a day

LEAKY TOILET15 gallons of water a day lost

FINDING TOILET LEAKSRemove the toilet tank cover and put in 5 to

10 drops of food coloring. Wait 30 minutes. If any color leaks into toilet bowl then you

have a leak and you should fix it immediately.

RReduce the flow of toiletseduce the flow of toilets

Almost half of the water used in a home is for toilets & showers.

Replace old toilets with new models using 1.5 gallons per flush (gpf) or lessToilets made before 1978 use 4 to 8 gpf1978 to 1993 toilets use 3.5 gpfSavings: 2 to 6.5 gpf

Reduce the water used per flushPlace a 2 liter bottle filled with pebbles or

sand in the toilet tank. Saves about ½ gpf

RReduce the flow of showerheadseduce the flow of showerheads

Measure water flowHold a bucket under the showerhead. Turn the water on full blast for thirty seconds.Measure the number of cups of water in the

bucket and multiply by two to get the number of gallons per minute.

Replace showerhead if over 2.5 gallons per minuteOlder showerheads use 3 to 10 gallons per

minute

Low-Cost Ways to Save WaterLow-Cost Ways to Save Water

ToiletFlush less oftenDon’t use it for a trash can

ShowerCut your shower time in half

Bathing (tub)Reduce water level to 1/3 full or 5

inches


Install aerators on faucetsReduce the flow from 2 to 3 gpm to

1.5 gpm Wash full loads of laundry & dishes Stop washing one dish at a time

Save up to 15 gallons by washing & rinsing in the sink or a dish pan


Change your teeth brushing and shaving behaviorsWet your toothbrush and then turn the

tap off (save about 5 gallons)Turn the tap on and off while shavingBrush your teeth and shave in the

shower

Long-Term Water ConservationLong-Term Water Conservation

ToiletInstall a low-flow or high efficiency

model that uses 1.5 to 1.3 gallons per flush

When shopping, look for the WaterSense label (www.epa.gov/watersense)

ShowerInstall a 1.5 gallons per minute

showerhead


Clothes WasherReplace your old washer with a high

efficiency machine that uses less than 28 gallons per load

DishwasherReplace your old machine with a high

efficiency model that uses 4 to 7 gallons per load

Look for the Energy Star label (www.energystar.gov)


Hot Water Insulate water pipes to get hot water

faster and avoid wasting water while it reaches the correct temperature

Install an on-demand or tankless hot water heater

SummarySummary

Water Conservation is about more than buying new gadgets…..

It’s about changing your habits.

5 Easy Water Saving Tips5 Easy Water Saving Tips

Wash laundry & dishes with full loads

Always turn off running water

Take shorter showers

Eliminate any and all leaks

Reduce the flow of toilets & showerheads

Documents

Every Drop Counts: Conserve WATER Saving Water for Future Texans