By HOLLY DICKMAN
Hays Water Conservation Specialist
The holiday season is here and while things may be a little (or a lot) different for many of us this year, I am guessing there still might be some extra food preparation, baking, and dish washing going on. There may be college kids back from school or extra house guests.
Regardless of your situation, it is important to keep water conservation in mind.
To keep water usage in check and hopefully save on water bills, here are a few things to consider this holiday season:
· Thaw frozen foods like turkeys and hams ahead of time in the refrigerator vs. the “speed-thaw” method in a sink full of water.
· Collect water used to rinse fruits and vegetables to water houseplants – including that live Christmas tree if you have one.
· Use the proper sized pots and pans for cooking - larger pots may require more water than necessary for the food being prepared. (i.e. for boiling potatoes)
· Scrape leftover food from plates into the garbage vs. rinsing them or washing scraps down the garbage disposal which can use gallons of water each time. Not to mention, those heavy holiday foods are bad for your pipes.
· Use the dishwasher when possible, but make sure it is full. A full dishwasher is much more efficient than washing by hand.
· If you need to wash dishes by hand, fill one basin with soapy water and fill the other with rinse water – no need to let the water run continuously.
· Check toilets for leaks before holiday guests arrive and make necessary repairs.
· Consider installing faucet aerators, low flow shower heads, high efficiency toilets and washing machines, all of which can drastically reduce water usage in the home year-round.
Remember, it is important to stay “water smart” - even during this unusual holiday season.
For more water saving tips visit www.watersmarthays.com or follow us @WaterSmartHays on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.