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Watershed resources
CONSERVATION TIPS
Tips for Residents
- Curtail outside watering—grasses naturally go dormant in the summer heat, but
they’ll green up again in the fall. Landscape with native plants and
trees that are adapted to New England’s climate and minimize lawns.
- Conserve household water by installing low-flow shower heads and toilets. Don’t leave the water
running while brushing your teeth or rinsing dishes and always wash full loads of clothes. For more information
regarding household water savings, visit www.h2ouse.net.
- Consider rainwater a resource. If your roof runoff is connected to pavement or sidewalk, re-route it
to a rain barrel or cistern or dry well, or to land where the water can penetrate the ground rather than run off. Rain barrels store water that can be
used for landscaping.
- Use a bucket to catch shower water as it warms up, then use the water for your most precious
plants.
- If you must water outside (and we highly discourage this), water deeply once a week to
encourage deep roots that are less susceptible to low rainfall periods; shallow, frequent watering
causes shallow roots that dry out quickly in the heat. Do not install automatic sprinklers. They
could quintuple your water use, and that costs
money.
- Keep your pool covered; or even better, don’t have a pool. Evaporation takes up lots of water.
- Reduce your power consumption, which may require large volumes of water for power plant
cooling.
- Maintain your septic system properly. Septic systems are the best means of keeping water
local, rather than sending the water to distant wastewater treatment plants. Have them
inspected annually and pumped out regularly.
- Check your town’s water use, and pay attention to the "unaccounted" water, which is water pumped
or withdrawn from a source that gets lost on the way to homes and businesses. This can reduce
20%, 30%, or even 50% of the town’s water withdrawals! Make your voice heard.
- Review your town’s policies and bylaws to ensure they promote sustainable water resource
practices. Support land use strategies that protect water resources beyond the tenure of elected
officials.
Download
a CRWA stormwater factsheet with tips on how to reduce stormwater
pollution
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Municipalities
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