look for
When in Drought...
Use Your WaterSense
Every year, drought strikes some part of the country. If your area is experiencing
a drought, there are actions you can take to help your community by reducing
your water use. Even if your water shortages are not severe, consider these
simple tips to save water at home.
1.	FOLLOW THE RULES, If your community has taken
the step of restricting water use, it's to ensure that
water is available for critical community needs such
as firefighting, health care facilities, and local
businesses.
2.	CHECK FOR LEAKS. Make sure your faucets,
toilets, and showerheads are not leaking and check
your sprinkler system. If you find leaks, fix them—
leaks can waste nearly 1,000 gallons of water each
month. Learn more about finding and fixing leaks at
www.epa.gov/watersense/fixaleak.
3.	CONSIDER AN UPGRADE. If you're thinking about a
bathroom update, now is the time to replace water-
wasting fixtures with high-performing, WaterSense
labeled models, which are independently certified
to use at least 20 percent less water than standard
models. Information about WaterSense labeled
products is available atwww.epa.gov/
watersense/products.
4.	TAKE A SPRINKLER BREAK. Grass doesn't have to
be bright green year-round. It's natural for your
landscape to go dormant and look a little brown in
summer's hottest months. You can cut back on
watering and reduce stress on your local water
supplies. If you have an irrigation system with a
clock timer, consider upgrading to a WaterSense
labeled controller, which acts like a thermostat for
Drought Can Hit Anywhere
May 2012	May 2013
May 2015
Abnormally Dry
Moderate Drought
Severe Drought
I Extreme Drought
I Exceptional Drought
Source: U.S. Drought Monitor archive, www.drought.gov
your system and tells it when and how much to
water. In the future, consider plants that need less
water and are better suited to your local climate.
Learn how to create a water-smart landscape at
www.epa.gov/watersense/outdoor.
5. GO THE EXTRA MILE. If you've done all you can
to be water-efficient, you can get creative by
collecting water from dish washing or other uses
and reusing it to water your flowers. More water-
saving tips are available at www.epa.gov/
watersense/our_water/start_saving.html.
Remember, when the rains return, your water-saving
ways don't have to go away. Avoiding water-wasting
habits will help you save water, energy, and money
and help your community when drought returns. For
more information, visit www.epa.gov/watersense.
PHONE (866) WTR-SENS (987-7367) WEBSITE www.epa.gov/watersense EMAIL watersense@epa.gov
A rnft IEPA-832-F-12-042
S>Crr\ May 2015

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