11 Cost Effective Ways to Combat the California Drought
Landscaping for drought Marin. It is no mystery that the US is in the midst of a serious drought. One of the states being affected the most is California. According to a report released by the NOAA on April 15, 2014, many areas of CA have been classified at D4 intensity, meaning that they are experiencing an “Exceptional Drought.”
Now, more than ever, we must work together to conserve as much water as we possibly can. Here is a list of 11 simple ways we can work together to conserve water in our homes, and gardens.
1.Wash veggies and fruits in a large bowl or pot. When you’re done, you can use that water in your garden or for your houseplants.
2.If you have a yard, start a compost pile to avoid using your garbage disposal as much as possible. If you have pets, make sure to install a fence to keep them out.
3.Believe it or not, Energy Star rated dishwashers actually use less water than washing your dishes by hand. Load it, set it, and forget it!
4.The average 5-foot bathtub takes about 60 gallons of water to fill. Try taking a short shower instead.
5.The typical home shower streams about 7 gallons per minute. By reducing your shower time by 2 minutes, you will save nearly 420 gallons each month!
6.Bathroom and kitchen water faucets can use up to 3 gallons of water per minute. You can reduce the flow by up to 40% by installing newer aerators on each faucet.
7.Using a toilet tank bank will save up to 0.8 gallons per flush. Simply fill the bag with water and place it in your toilet tank and start saving water immediately!
8.Proper plant maintenance and pruning will aid your plants in drinking more effectively.
9.Place a few ice cubes in your hanging plants to give them a refreshing drink without overflowing them. The typical ice cube is about 1 oz, so the size of the plant should dictate how many cubes to use.
10.Rainwater harvesting is easier than you might think. Use a large barrel placed under your gutters to collect excess rainwater, and pour it over your garden.
11.Use a broom, instead of the hose, to clean your driveway and patios without wasting water. The average hose uses about 10 gallons per minute!
Together, we can save gallons of water each day by following these easy and cost-effective steps. For further tips and tricks, be sure to check the FYGN blog frequently!
