Using Water Wisely In The Home

(NAPSI)-Water efficiency plays an important role in protecting water sources and improving water quality. By using water wisely, you can save money and help protect the environment.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) offers a number of tips to help save water in and around the home, including:

1. Stop leaks. Check all water-using appliances, equipment and other devices for leaks. Running toilets, steady faucet drips, home water treatment units and outdoor sprinkler systems are common sources of leaks.

2. Replace old toilets. The major water use inside the home is toilet flushing. If your home was built before 1992 and you haven't replaced your toilets recently, you probably could benefit from installing high-efficiency toilets that use 1.6 gallons or less per flush. A family of four can save 14,000 to 25,000 gallons of water per year by making this change.

3. Replace old clothes washers. Washing machines are the second largest water user in your home. If your clothes washer is old, consider purchasing a model with the EPA's Energy Star certification. These models use 35 to 50 percent less water and 50 percent less energy per load.

4. Plant the right plants. Whether you're installing a new landscape or changing the existing one, select plants that are appropriate for your climate and use a suitable landscaping and irrigation design. Consider using xeriscaping, a landscaping technique designed to create a visually attractive landscape by using low-water-use and drought-resistant grass, plants, shrubs and trees.

5. Provide only the water plants need. Automatic landscape irrigation systems are a home's biggest water user. To make sure you're not overwatering, adjust your irrigation controller at least once a month to account for changes in the weather. As necessary, install a shutoff device, soil moisture sensor or humidity sensor to better control irrigation.

"I believe water is the biggest environmental issue we face in the 21st century in terms of both quality and quantity," says EPA Director Christine Todd Whitman. "In the 30 years since its passage, the Clean Water Act has dramatically increased the number of waterways that are once again safe for fishing and swimming."

To take a tour of the "Water Saver Home" or for more tips on how to save, visit www.epa.gov/ owm/water-efficiency/index.htm.

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