Real Estate and Real Life in the Wine Country

The average American uses between 80 and 100 gallons of water per day. Not surprisingly, cutting back on your water consumption is necessary for the environment and it will save you money. With the lack of rain last winter we are feeling the “D” problem and it is important to save water. The Sonoma County Water Agency is a great resource for rebates and Conservation tips. The experts at www.earth911.org, an environmental resource network, have some tips to decrease your water usage so you don’t get soaked by your water and energy bills.

Indoors
The bathroom consumes the most water in the house, and a leaky toilet is often the culprit. To determine if you have a leak, drop some food coloring into the toilet tank. If that color appears in the bowl, you have a leak. Check for worn-out, corroded or bent parts. If your toilet handle frequently sticks in the flush position and the water is constantly running, replace or adjust the handle. And if your toilet is already in good working order, you can still conserve water by avoiding unnecessary flushing. Dispose of tissues and similar waste in the wastebasket instead.

To reduce water consumption even more, consider purchasing some of the low-flow products and attachments at your local hardware store. A low-flow model toilet can reduce your indoor water usage up to 20 percent, while an ultra low-flow shower head can save up to 2.5 gallons of water per minute.

Outdoors
Be careful not to over-water your lawn. Generally, lawns only need watering every five to seven days, and a heavy rainstorm might mean that you don’t need to water for a couple of weeks. Try to water during the early morning hours, which reduces evaporation. Micro or drip sprinklers and soaker hoses are the most water-efficient systems to use.

Have a great day!

Mirjam de Rijk