Starting 2021 Off Wisely - 10 Tips For the New Year

Some of you might have spent a little more time at home in 2020. More hand washing, cooking, washing dishes, and home renovation projects means increased water use and higher bills. With the arrival of the spring season that we in Arizona so enjoy, higher temperatures mean thirstier people, animals, and plants. Fortunately, there are groups like Water - Use it Wisely (WUIW) that exist to help you maximize your water savings inside and outside your home or business. Check out some of their best water-saving tips just in time for the spring planting season:

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#5 Designate one glass for your drinking water each day or refill a water bottle. This will cut down on the number of glasses to wash.

#14 Select the proper pan size for cooking. Large pans may require more cooking water than necessary.

#15 If you accidentally drop ice cubes, don’t throw them in the sink. Drop them in a house plant instead.

#55 Be a leak detective! Check all hoses, connectors, and faucets regularly for leaks.

#63 Group plants with the same watering needs together to avoid overwatering some while under watering others.

#74 Spreading a layer of organic mulch around plants helps them retain moisture, saving water, time, and money.

#77 Next time you add or replace a flower or shrub, choose a low-water-use plant and save up to 550 gallons each year.

#78 Call your local conservation office for more information about xeriscaping with water-thrifty trees, plants, and ground covers.

#134 When you give your pet fresh water, don’t throw the old water down the drain. Use it to water your trees or shrubs.

#135 Use a broom instead of a hose to clean patios, sidewalks, and driveways, and save water every time.

When it comes to conserving water, small adjustments can have a big impact. Start 2021 off right with these simple water conservation tips and find more at wateruseitwisely.com/100-ways-to-conserve. You can also check out WUIW’s Ultimate Arizona Spring Landscaping and Planting Resource.

The Water – Use It Wisely campaign was launched in 1999 to promote an ongoing water conservation ethic among Arizona’s growing population. Following Arizona’s lead, nearly 400 towns, cities, states, utilities, and private and public organizations across the nation have adopted the Water – Use It Wisely campaign, making it one of the largest conservation educational outreach programs in the world.