Water Conservation During An Emergency

During times of emergency we need to conserve water as much as possible.  Following are some ideas that will help to reduce waste of water.  Many thanks to FEMA for providing much of the information.

• Never pour water down the drain when there may be another use for it.  Use it to water your indoor plants or garden.
• Place a bucket in the shower to catch excess water….. (you know…..all the water that goes down the drain while we are waiting for the water to heat up) …. You can find many uses for it such as washing dishes, washing clothes, washing hands, brushing teeth, etc.
• Avoid taking baths – take short showers – turn on water only to get wet and lather and then again to rinse off.  (ON..get wet..OFF..lather..ON..rinse off..OFF…..see?  It’s simple!  No more standing there for 10 minutes letting it run over us.  Remember….we are trying to conserve!)
• Avoid letting the water run while brushing your teeth, washing your face, or shaving.
• Avoid flushing the toilet unnecessarily.  Dispose of tissues, insects, and other similar waste in the trash rather than the toilet.
• Wash dishes by hand.  Fill two containers – one with soapy water and the other with rinse water containing a small amount of chlorine bleach or Steramine.
• Clean vegetables in a pan filled with water instead of with running water from the tap.
• Store drinking water in the refrigerator.  Do not let the tap run while you are waiting for water to cool. 
• Avoid wasting water waiting for it to get hot.  Capture it for other uses such as plant watering, washing hands, brushing teeth, etc.  Heat it on the stove or in a microwave.
• Use the automatic clothes washer only when it is a full load….or set the water level for the size of your load.