(NAPSA)—Swimming. Running Use plants that are native or adapted to your climate in through a sprinkler. Watering garden beds. Washing the car. Warmer weather brings on all sorts of out- order to reduce outdoor water use by 20 to 50 percent. e Raise your lawn mowercut- door activities—most of which ting height—longer grass blades shade each other and reduce involve water. Unfortunately for many communities, this is also the evaporation. 3. Hire an expert: e Consider hiring a certified time of year when water supplies are stressed the most. Water shortages that were once common only in the West and professional to install a water-effi- cient irrigation system. A professional can also help audit and maintain your existing system. Southwest are today spreading across the country. Thirty-six states expect local or regional water shortages within the next six years—a problem compounded by population growth and aging water-delivery systems. The average family of four uses about 400 gallons of water per day—that’s 1,600 drinking glasses full—and 30 percent of that is outdoors. More than half of outdoor water use is for watering lawns and gardens. In some parts of the country, homeowners use as much as 75 percent of their water outdoors during the growing season. That means now is an ideal time to become more waterefficient. Saving water helps protect the future of community water supplies and the environment. It can also save families money on their utility bills. As you makeyour wayinto the sunshine, keep in mind these tips from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s WaterSense program. 1. Give yourirrigation system a checkup: It’s estimated that more than 50 percent of landscape water use goes to waste due to evaporation, runoff or overwatering. e Inspect your irrigation system to find and repair leaks. Don’t water the sidewalk or street. Adjust sprinklers or hire a professional to get your system back on track. e Avoid oversaturation. Use soil moisture sensors so your irrigation system operates only when needed. e Install a weather-based irri- gation controller. On a moderate- size lawn, this can save up to 37 gallons of water per day. 2. Water when needed, as needed: Water your plants and lawn in the early morning when winds are calm and temperatures are cool. Askif your irrigation profes- sional is a WaterSense partner. Professionals who are certified through a WaterSense-labeled program can help you save water, time and money. WaterSense cur- rently labels certification programs for irrigation system designers and installation/mainte- nance professionals. e Visit www.epa.gov/water sense to find a WaterSense irrigation partner in your area. 4, Other waysto save: e Sweep driveways, sidewalks and steps rather than hosingoff. Wash the car with water from a bucket rather than a hose, or better yet, take it to a commercial car wash that recycles water. e When using a hose, control the flow with an automatic shut- off nozzle. e If you own a swimming pool, consider buying a water-efficientfilter. Use a pool cover to reduce evaporation whenit’s not being used.
