8 Simple Ways To Conserve Water

With the better weather approaching, I thought I'd re-post a water conservation article I wrote for Westford Patch last spring.

Did you know that one in three people around the globe may not have adequate water available to them? You can live for weeks without food, but without water you will die in as little as three days.

While water may not seem scarce here in Westford, it is a major concern around the globe. According to many sources, water availability is becoming more of a problem everywhere.  

Learn how you can do your part.

1. If you have a toilet made before 1992, it probably uses 3.5 gallons per flush.  Consider replacing it with a more efficient model using 1.28 – 1.6 gallons.  You could also retrofit your toilet for a temporary solution.

2. Fix leaks. A leaky faucet that drips one drip per second can waste more than 3000 gallons of water per year.

3.  If your toilet leaks, that can waste about 200 gallons of water a day. To check, place a drop of food coloring in your toilet tank. If the color makes its way to the bowl without flushing, you have a leak

4.  If you have an outdoor irrigation system, make sure the rain sensor is working. Don't have a rain sensor? Think about installing one.


5.  Reduce the amount you water your lawn - they only need an inch of water a week.

6. Turning off the faucet while brushing your teeth can save up to 3 gallons per day.

7. Consider installing a rain barrel for watering gardens. Westford residents can purchase rain barrels at a  discount.  check Your local Water Department.  They may offer a similar deal.


8.Showers use less water. If you are taking a bath, plug the drain immediately then adjust the water temperature as the bath fills.

How do you conserve water?