Water Conservation Tips During a Drought

   Website
   https://www.ready.gov/drought#before
   U.S. Department of Homeland Security
   [[Content::Always observe state and local restrictions on water use during a drought.

Contact your state or local government for current information and suggestions.

Indoor Water Conservation Tips During a Drought

BATHROOM

• Avoid flushing the toilet unnecessarily.
• Dispose of tissues, insects and other similar waste in the trash rather than the toilet.
• Take short showers instead of baths.
• Turn on the water only to get wet and lather and then again to rinse off.
• Avoid letting the water run while brushing your teeth, washing your face or shaving.

LAUNDRY

• Operate clothes washers only when they are fully loaded or set the water level for the size of your load.

KITCHEN

• Operate automatic dishwashers only when they are fully loaded.
  • Use the "light wash" feature to use less water.
• Hand wash dishes by filling two containers—one with soapy water and the other with rinse water containing a small amount of chlorine bleach.
• Clean vegetables in a pan filled with water rather than running water from the tap.
• Avoid wasting water waiting for it to get hot.
  • Capture it for other uses such as plant watering or heat it on the stove or in a microwave.
• Don't rinse dishes before placing them in the dishwasher, just remove large particles of food.
• Avoid using running water to thaw meat or other frozen foods.
• Defrost food overnight in the refrigerator or use the defrost setting on your microwave.

Outdoor Water Conservation Tips During a Drought

LAWN CARE

• A heavy rain eliminates the need for watering for up to two weeks.
  • Most of the year, lawns only need one inch of water per week.
• Check the soil moisture levels with a soil probe, spade or large screwdriver.
  • You don't need to water if the soil is still moist.
  • If your grass springs back when you step on it, it doesn't need water yet.
• If your lawn does require watering, do so early in the morning or later in the evening, when temperatures are cooler.
  • Water in several short sessions rather than one long one, in order for your lawn to better absorb moisture and avoid runoff.
• Use a broom or blower instead of a hose to clean leaves and other debris from your driveway or sidewalk.
• Avoid leaving sprinklers or hoses unattended.
• In extreme drought, allow lawns to die in favor of preserving trees and large shrubs.

CAR WASHING

• Use a commercial car wash that recycles water.
• If you wash your own car, use a shut-off nozzle that can be adjusted down to a fine spray on your hose.

Note: Use the translation feature of your browser]]

   Drought, Heatwave
   During
   English

View all Crisis Communication

Created: 21 September 2023
Last edited: 19 October 2023

Type:

Website

Publishing Organisation:

U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Languages

• English

Scenarios

• Drought
• Heatwave

Disaster Management Phase

During

Always observe state and local restrictions on water use during a drought.

Contact your state or local government for current information and suggestions.

Indoor Water Conservation Tips During a Drought

BATHROOM

• Avoid flushing the toilet unnecessarily.
• Dispose of tissues, insects and other similar waste in the trash rather than the toilet.
• Take short showers instead of baths.
• Turn on the water only to get wet and lather and then again to rinse off.
• Avoid letting the water run while brushing your teeth, washing your face or shaving.

LAUNDRY

• Operate clothes washers only when they are fully loaded or set the water level for the size of your load.

KITCHEN

• Operate automatic dishwashers only when they are fully loaded.
  • Use the "light wash" feature to use less water.
• Hand wash dishes by filling two containers—one with soapy water and the other with rinse water containing a small amount of chlorine bleach.
• Clean vegetables in a pan filled with water rather than running water from the tap.
• Avoid wasting water waiting for it to get hot.
  • Capture it for other uses such as plant watering or heat it on the stove or in a microwave.
• Don't rinse dishes before placing them in the dishwasher, just remove large particles of food.
• Avoid using running water to thaw meat or other frozen foods.
• Defrost food overnight in the refrigerator or use the defrost setting on your microwave.

Outdoor Water Conservation Tips During a Drought

LAWN CARE

• A heavy rain eliminates the need for watering for up to two weeks.
  • Most of the year, lawns only need one inch of water per week.
• Check the soil moisture levels with a soil probe, spade or large screwdriver.
  • You don't need to water if the soil is still moist.
  • If your grass springs back when you step on it, it doesn't need water yet.
• If your lawn does require watering, do so early in the morning or later in the evening, when temperatures are cooler.
  • Water in several short sessions rather than one long one, in order for your lawn to better absorb moisture and avoid runoff.
• Use a broom or blower instead of a hose to clean leaves and other debris from your driveway or sidewalk.
• Avoid leaving sprinklers or hoses unattended.
• In extreme drought, allow lawns to die in favor of preserving trees and large shrubs.

CAR WASHING

• Use a commercial car wash that recycles water.
• If you wash your own car, use a shut-off nozzle that can be adjusted down to a fine spray on your hose.

Note:

Use the translation feature of your browser

Source

https://www.ready.gov/drought#before