Top
10 RiverSmart Tips
10
things you can do to help preserve the Neponset River.
Download
the Top 10 RiverSmart Tips (255kb PDF file)
1.
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.
2. Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth and washing
the dishes. You can save 3-5 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.
3. Run the washing machine and dishwasher only when they
are fully loaded. You can save between 300-800 gallons of water each
month.
4. 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.
5. Sweep off — instead of hosing — the driveway,
patio or sidewalk. Hosing for 15 minutes wastes 150 gallons of water.Water
run-off from our driveways or sidewalks carries contaminants,
such as dirt, motor oil, fertilizers and animal waste, into our
rivers.
6.
Install water-saving showerheads and high-performance, low-flush
toilets. An outdated showerhead wastes 20 extra
gallons a day
or 7,300 gallons a year — and that’s just for one person!
An average family of four can save 14,000-17,000 gallons of water
a year by replacing pre-1993 toilets with new high-efficiency
ones. High-efficiency toilets, washing machines and dishwashers
not only save our rivers, they save us money.
7. 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 run-off
will help keep our rivers and drinking water safe.
8. 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.
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 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week, and you
can set out a can to measure for you. Watering less 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. Visit www.riversmart.org to
find recipes for inexpensive, safe alternatives.
To find out more, go to www.riversmart.org
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