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 ------- |