Water Conservation Tip Sheet

Water is an increasingly strained resource nationwide but there are many ways to lessen our impact on its use. These strategies are particularly valuable during Molalla's warm, dry summer months when water supply is at its most limited and most desirable. Practicing water conservation strategies can save both you and your municipality some hard earned money.

Conserving Water Indoors

• Turn off faucets when they are not in direct use
• Don't let the water run while you are brushing your teeth, cleaning dishes, or washing your hands
• Take shorter showers
• Identify and repair dripping or leaking faucets and pipes
• Run only full loads in the dish or clothes washer.
• When replacing appliances, consider the water usage listed on replacement appliances when making your purchase.

Conserving Water Outdoors

• Water your lawn only 1 inch a week, except when it is unusually hot.
  • Note: A good way to see if your lawn needs watering is to step on the grass. If it springs up it does not need water. If it stays flat, it's thirsty.
• Deep soak your lawn. Deep soaking allows the moisture to soak down to the roots.
• Use drip systems for landscaping to prevent evaporation and provide deeper soakage.
• Water early in the morning when it is coolest to avoid evaporation.
• Don't water the pavement or other non-essential areas.
• Use rain collection barrels to collect run-off water from your roof for reuse in gardening and landscaping. These are available in many home improvement retail stores.
• Consider landscaping options that require less or no water.

To calculate your daily water use and find best strategies to reduce your impact, try this water calculator tool.

To get more detailed tips on water conservation check out the EPA's recommendations.