25 Tips for Water Quality Month

When the United Nations declared 2005-2015 as an “International Decade for Action: Water for Life,” they added a designation for the month of August to be known as Water Quality Month. At a time of the year when so many people are outside using our most valuable resource, it’s important to remember how to keep our water pure. We’ve collected 25 of our favorite tips to help you keep water flowing clean and useable for everyone!

In the home:

* Take unused pharmaceuticals to a disposal center so they don’t end up in our water supply.

* Don’t dump anything down a storm drain—it flows into lakes and rivers.

* Use environmentally safe cleaning products to keep toxic liquids out of our water. Try vinegar, lemon juice, salt, borax, and other natural ingredients.

* Don’t put grease into your garbage disposal or drains, as it builds up in sewer lines and could cause them to be blocked, which leads to sewage overflow.

* Take used motor oil to a disposal site.

* Send used compact fluorescent light bulbs, mercury thermostats and thermometers to a hazardous waste facility for disposal.

* Choose low-flow showerheads, sink faucet aerators, and other high-efficiency appliances.

* Take a shower instead of a bath—it saves water!

* Leaks can hide, easily unnoticed, underneath the sink behind supplies or under appliances. Pay special attention to musty odors and dampness.
* Keep a pitcher of water in the refrigerator for cold drinking water.

* Make sure you’re turning your faucet off when your brush your teeth. It’s easy to forget, but saves almost 2 gallons at a time!

In the great outdoors:

* Collect pet waste in a recyclable bag and put it in the trash.

* Don’t over-water your lawn; it could increase the flow of fertilizer into the soil and groundwater supplies.

* Choose a lawn fertilizer that is phosphorous-free.

* Divert rainspouts onto grass or landscaping.

* Maintain foliage to prevent soil erosion.

* Plant native shrubs, trees, and flowers in your yard; they decrease water dependence and reduce the need for fertilizers.

* Use integrated pest management techniques (biological pest control) to keep excessive pesticides out of the environment and our water supply.

* Water your lawn in the morning or late evening, when it’s less likely to evaporate.

* Choose drought-resistant flowers and plants.

* Drip irrigation systems can save 30-50% of the water that a sprinkler loses from evaporation and runoff.

* Add a top layer of organic mulch or plant with a compost pile to help your garden retain moisture.

* Sweep your driveway, sidewalks, porches, and patios—don’t hose them clean.

* Don’t let tree or shrub roots disrupt your septic system.

And the number-one thing you can do to help water quality:

* Use rain barrels! Catch your rainwater runoff to water your garden, or wash your windows and cars. You can even manage storm water runoff, the top cause in the United States for water pollution. Rain Harvest Systems has a rain barrel to suit every budget and household. We also do commercial rainwater harvesting applications in every size for any business.

Visit our website to learn more, or chat with us (and get more water-saving tips) on Facebook and Twitter.