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River Smart Videos
Let's Be RiverSmart
RiverSmart Tips
RiverSmart Tips
Our tap water is affected by rivers. And we all do things around the house every day that can affect our rivers and streams—the very water we drink. Remember, your rivers are closer than you think. Be RiverSmart about the things you do by following these easy tips:
1. Sweep off—instead of hosing—the driveway, patio or sidewalk. Hosing for 15 minutes wastes 150 gallons of water. Water runoff from our driveways or sidewalks carries contaminants, such as dirt, motor oil, fertilizers and animal waste, into our rivers.
2. Pick up after your pet. When it rains, bacteria from pet waste left in the yard can run into our streets and storm drains, polluting our rivers and streams. This can be harmful to humans and to wildlife using the river. Be a good neighbor by picking up after your pet at home and on walks.
3. Fix car leaks promptly. Leaky cars leave drips or puddles of motor oil and other fluids on our streets and driveways. When it rains, these contaminants run down our streets, through the storm drains, and into our rivers. So clean stains on your driveway or street, and fix car leaks right away. Preventing polluted runoff will help keep our rivers and drinking water safe.
4. Take care when changing your car's motor oil and dispose of the oil safely. One quart of motor oil can pollute 250,000 gallons of river water so use a large pan if you are changing motor oil yourself. Never pour leftover oil down a storm drain or into the trash. Instead, drop it off at your local hazardous waste center.
5. Repair leaky faucets and toilets right away. Leaky sinks and toilets can waste 50 gallons of water in one day, depleting our rivers. For a leaky faucet, look for a faulty o-ring or valve seat. Toilet leaks aren't always so obvious. Try pouring colored liquid into the tank. If after 15 minutes you see dye in the bowl, you may need to replace the flapper.
6. Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth and washing the dishes. You can save three to five gallons a day. Try using a cup when brushing and shaving. And fill up the sink first when washing vegetables or doing a load of dishes. It's a small change that will make a big difference.
7. Run the washing machine and dishwasher only when they are fully loaded. You can save between 300 to 800 gallons of water each month.
8. Dispose of household cleaners, paint and other chemicals safely. Many cleaning products found in our homes and garages are too dangerous to be disposed of in the trash or down the drain. Read the label: Anything marked "Poison" or "Danger" should be taken to your local hazardous waste center. Use water-based paints and dry off excess paint with a paper towel before rinsing your paintbrush.
9. Water your lawn and garden only in the morning or evening. Water evaporates quickly during the middle of the day. Remember, a lawn only needs one to one and one-half inches of water per week, and you can set out a can to measure. Watering every four to five days creates deeper, stronger roots and a healthier lawn. Or you could try letting the lawn go brown as nature intended during summer months. Another option is to plant native plants or xeriscaping that require less water altogether.
10. Buy and use environmentally friendly products. Choose safer, multi-purpose cleaners marked with only a "Caution" warning, rather than products with "Poison" and "Danger" on the label. Avoid chlorine, phosphate products and solvents like paint thinner.
RiverSmart tips courtesy of Miami Conservancy District.
Water Saving Tips
1. Don't let the water run while you lather up to wash your hands.
2. Plug the bathtub before turning the water on then adjust the temperature as the tub fills up.
3. If your shower can fill a one-gallon bucket in less than 20 seconds, then replace it with a water-efficient showerhead.
4. While staying in a hotel reuse your towels.
5. Time your shower to keep it under five minutes.
6. Select the proper size pans for cooking. Large pans require more cooking water than may be necessary.
7. Don't use running water to thaw food.
8. Soak your pots and pans instead of letting the water run while you scrape them clean.
9. Designate one glass for your drinking water each day. This will cut down on the number of times you run your dishwasher.
10. Keep a pitcher of water in the refrigerator instead of running the tap for cold drinks.
11. Install an instant water heater on your kitchen sink so you don't have to let the water run while it heats up. This will also reduce heating costs for your household.
12. Collect the water you use for rinsing produce and reuse it to water houseplants.
13. When you shop for a new clothes washer, consider one offering cycle and load size adjustments. They are more water and energy-efficient than older appliances.
14. Cut back on rinsing if your dishwasher is new. Newer models clean more thoroughly than older ones.
15. Make sure there are aerators on all of your faucets.
16. Teach your children to turn the faucets off tightly after each use.
17. If your toilet was installed prior to 1980, place a brick or bottle filled with water in your toilet tank to cut down on the amount of water used for each flush. Be sure these devices do not interfere with operating parts.
18. Make sure your toilet flapper doesn't stick open after flushing.
19. Install low-volume or dual-flush toilets.
20. Check your sprinkler system frequently and adjust sprinklers so only your lawn is watered. Remember to check your sprinkler system valves for leaks and keep the heads in good shape.
21. Use the sprinkler for larger areas of grass. Water small patches by hand to avoid waste.
22. Avoid planting turf in areas that are hard to water such as steep inclines and isolated strips along sidewalks and driveways. When watering grass on steep slopes, use a soaker hose to prevent wasteful runoff.
23. Reduce the amount of grass in your yard by planting shrubs and ground cover.
24. Plant during the spring or fall when the watering requirements are lower.
25. Use a layer of organic mulch around plants to reduce evaporation.
26. Only water your lawn when needed. You can tell this by simply walking across your lawn. If you leave footprints, it's time to water.
27. Adjust your lawn mower to a higher setting. Longer grass shades root systems and holds soil moisture better than a closely clipped lawn.
28. Direct downspouts and other runoff towards shrubs and trees, or collect and use for your garden.
29. Choose a drip irrigation system for trees, shrubs and flowers.
30. Aerate your lawn. Punch holes in your lawn so water will reach the roots rather than run off the surface. Water only as rapidly as the soil can absorb the water.
31. Don't water your lawn on windy days.
32. Group plants with the same watering needs together to get the most out of your watering time.
33. Remember to weed your lawn and garden regularly. Weeds compete with plants for nutrients, light, and water.
34. Avoid installing ornamental water features and fountains that spray water into the air. Trickling or cascading fountains lose less water to evaporation.
35. Don't buy recreational water toys that require a constant flow of water.
36. Throw trimmings and peelings from fruits and vegetables into your yard compost to prevent from using the garbage disposal.
37. Install covers on pools and spas and check for leaks around your pumps.
38. Don't forget to check outdoor faucets, pipes, and hoses for leaks.
39. Winterize outdoor spigots to prevent pipes from bursting or freezing.
40. Use porous materials for walkways and patios to prevent wasteful runoff.
41. Make sure you know where your master water shut-off valve is located. This saves water and damage to your home if a pipe were to burst.
42. Use a commercial car wash that recycles water.
43. Report water losses from broken pipes, open hydrants and errant sprinklers.
44. Check your water meter and bill to track your water usage.
45. Encourage your school system and local government to help develop and promote a water conservation ethic among children and adults.
46. Encourage your friends and neighbors to be part of a water-conscious community.
47. Do one thing each day that will save water. Even if savings are small, every drop counts.
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