Conserve

Conserving water must become a routine way of life.

In Colorado, residents use between 85-100 gallons of water per person per day. Here are some “Fourteeners” to help you reduce indoor water use.

In the state known for its 14,000-foot peaks, saving water is important regardless of how deep the snowpack is every year.

COLORADO WATER FOURTEENERS

14 WAYS TO SAVE INDOORS

FIX OR FIND LEAKS

Contact your water provider for help if you suspect an unidentified leak.

AVOID DRIPS

Replace washers in dripping faucets. One drop per second wastes 2,700 gallons of water per year.

PREVENT TOILET LEAKS

To check for toilet leaks, add a couple drops of food color to the back tank. If color appears in the bowl, you have a leak. You can save thousands of gallons per year by repairing a leaky toilet flapper.

BUY WATERSENSE® PRODUCTS

WaterSense® labeled products save water inside and outside the home without sacrificing performance. Replacing old toilets can save at least 11,000 gallons a year!

TOSS INSTEAD OF FLUSHING

Dispose of tissues, insects and other such waste in the trash rather than the toilet.

DON'T BE A SHOWER HOG

Shortening a shower by only 1-2 minutes saves up to 700 gallons per year.

BRUSH AND WASH

Brush your teeth first while waiting for water to get hot, then wash your face or shave after filling the basin.

SHOWER SENSE

A WaterSense® labeled showerhead can reduce the average family’s annual water use by 2,900 gallons, save more than $70 per year in energy and water costs, and conserve the amount of energy needed to power a home for 13 days every year!

COMPOST

Using the compost bin or garbage to dispose of food rather than the garbage disposal can save 50 to 150 gallons per month.

PACK YOUR WASHERS

Operate dish and clothes washers only when they are fully loaded.

SWITCH UP YOUR CLOTHES WASHER

By using a water-efficient clothes washer, you save about 27 gallons per load.

GO RETRO

Retrofit bathroom faucets with 1 gallon per minute (gpm) faucet aerators.

DEFROST IN THE FRIDGE

Avoiding running water to defrost food saves 50 to 150 gallons per month.

GET HELP

Check with your water provider for programs that can help you save water and money.

Using water wisely outdoors is one of the best ways to save water.

Our love of the outdoor lifestyle in Colorado makes our yards, parks and open spaces of primo importance.

Here are some “Fourteeners” to help you reduce outdoor water use.

COLORADO WATER FOURTEENERS

14 WAYS TO SAVE OUTDOORS

DON'T RUN OFF

Only apply as much water as the soil can absorb. Use the Cycle and Soak method—break watering times into 3 short cycles, allowing an hour of soak time in between.

PROGRAM YOUR SPRINKLER

By programming your automatic sprinkler system to fit the weather conditions, you water when the plants need it, not by the clock.

RIGHT TIME YOUR WATERING

Water during the cooler hours and avoid sprinkling on windy days.

BE WEATHER SMART

If it has rained in the past few days, or will rain soon, don’t water.

PLANT THE RIGHT PLANTS

Choose Plant Select® plants that thrive in Rocky Mountain gardens.Plant Select® »

DON'T WATER THE SIDEWALK

Don’t water the sidewalk, rocks or road. They won’t grow.

AERATE

Aerate in the spring or fall to open up soil to absorb more moisture.

SWEEP

Don’t waste water by spraying off a driveway or sidewalk, use a broom instead.

INSTALL SMART SPRINKLERS

Use efficient technology like drip irrigation, rotary spray nozzles, and smart irrigation controllers.

CHECK FOR LEAKS

Check sprinkler systems and timing devices to be sure they are operating properly.

RAISE YOUR BLADE

Cut grass at least three inches in height to encourage deeper roots and better moisture retention. Never cut more than 1/3 of the grass blade.

AVOID OVER-FERTILIZING

The application of fertilizers increases the need for water. Apply fertilizers that contain slow-release, water-insoluble forms of nitrogen.

MULCH

Mulch to retain moisture in the soil. Mulching also helps to control weeds that compete with plants for water.

XERISCAPE

Xeriscape is based on a combination of seven common sense principles to save water while creating lush, beautiful landscapes.

Conserve

CONSERVE

Conserving water must become a routine way of life.

In the state known for its 14,000-foot peaks, saving water is important regardless of how deep the snowpack is every year.

14 WAYS TO SAVE INDOORS

Using water wisely outdoors is one of the best ways to save water.

Our love of the outdoor lifestyle in Colorado makes our yards, parks and open spaces of primo importance.

14 WAYS TO SAVE OUTDOORS

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