Every Drop Counts
Decisions you make in and around your home can help conserve water and reduce your impact on stormwater pollution. Here are four sustainable water choices you can make this summer.
Be Water Wise
Concerns about drought are increasing. You can save water inside and outside your home by making small changes like taking shorter showers and watering your plants and lawns less often. Here are a few ways to help make water wise decisions this summer.
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- Take shorter showers! You can reduce your water usage by up to 10 gallons if you take a five-minute shower. If you live in Tacoma, you can pick up a free shower timer at their main administration building.
- Wash full loads of dishes. Running the dishwasher only when it’s full can eliminate one load of dishes per week and save the average family nearly 320 gallons of water annually.
- Water your lawn and garden less often. Use some of these tips and tricks for smart watering.
- Check for leaky faucets inside, and leaky pipes outside.
Use Every Drop
Here in Washington, many of our cities are facing droughts and serious
water shortages. You can do your part by getting the most out of your water
– and using every drop. Here are a few tips you can try this summer:
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- Only wash full loads of laundry. Washing full loads is always the best way
to conserve water. Here are a few more tips to save water when doing
your laundry. - Consider putting a bucket in the shower while the water is heating up and
using the water you saved to water your plants. Check here for other
ideas. - Try collecting rainwater and use it to water your garden. This calculator will
tell you how much rainwater you could save based on your roof size, and
you can use this guide to make your own rain barrel. - Fill a pitcher of water and leave it in the fridge so you don’t let the tap run
while waiting for the water to get cool.
Be Stormwater Savvy
One-third of Washington’s water sources are threatened by stormwater runoff pollution. Stormwater pollution comes from many sources – including all of our driveways, parking lots and urban areas. Fortunately, there are individual actions we can take to reduce our impact and keep our water cleaner and healthier.
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- Pick up after your pets. Help keep our waterways clean by carrying
disposable bags while walking your dog to pick up and dispose of waste
properly. - Replace part of your lawn or garden with native and drought resistant
plants. - Check your car for leaks and clean oil spills off your driveway. You can
diagnose many leaks yourself by consulting fixcarleaks.org. If you
have used motor oil to dispose of, many auto part stores and repair shops
will take it. Find a Snohomish County drop-off location here. - Wash your car at a carwash, not in your driveway.
Take the Pledge
Ready to commit to taking action? Take the Earth Day Northwest 2020 Pledge today, and share your commitment with family and friends.
