Use these water-saving tips around your home

6/6/01

 BOZEMAN—While most of us realize Montana is facing a drought, few of us—particularly those of us who don’t depend directly on water for our livelihoods—think about how our water usage fits into the big picture.

“Most people don’t have any idea how much water they’re using on a day-to-day basis,” says Mike Vogel, housing specialist for the Montana State University Extension Service. “We are vaguely aware that we should be conserving water, but we can’t even imagine what it would be like to turn on the tap and find nothing there.”

Vogel says the average person uses 60 gallons of water per day—imagine 60 milk jugs full of water lined up on your porch every day!

But says Vogel, there are several ways to reduce water usage without making a personal sacrifice. And, if you receive water from a public utility, you can save some money each month.

--One of the main ways to save water is to eliminate leaks in toilets and faucets. Put some drops of food coloring in your toilet tank. If the color shows up in the bowl, the toilet is leaking and costing you up to 200 gallons of water a day. Also, replacing the washer (“O” ring) in leaky faucets can save 15 to 20 gallons each day.

--Run the clothes washer or dishwasher only when you have a full load. Each load can use up to 50 gallons of water. If washing clothes or dishes by hand, don’t run the water continuously.

--Rather than running tap water until it’s cool, keep a bottle of cold water in your refrigerator.

--Don’t run the faucet while you’re brushing your teeth.

--Don’t use the toilet as a trash can, flushing objects like facial tissues. Each flush consumes five gallons.

--Take showers instead of baths. While a bath can take 30 to 50 gallons of water, a short shower uses about half that.

You can order a free publication from the MSU Extension Service that lists 67 ways to save water—and dollars!—at home. Ask for EB 27 “Water Conservation Checklist for the Home” at your local Extension office, or contact MSU Extension Publications at (406) 994-3273. This publication is also free on the Web at: www.montana.edu/wwwpb/pubs/eb27.html.   In addition, the Extension Service offers free water flow restrictors, easy-to-install devices that reduces the flow from faucets and showerheads.         

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Send questions or comments to Carol Flaherty, MSU Communications Services, Bozeman, MT 59717 or email Flaherty at carolf@montana.edu.

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