WATER CONSERVATION AND LANDSCAPING
Common Areas/Buildings
- Landscaping Committee. Does your condo association or apartment building have a building and grounds committee? Attend a meeting or two to find out more about how your landscape is managed.
- Review landscaping contract, and recommend that the contractor:
- Use native plants,
- Minimize the use of fertilizers and pesticides,
- Leave some grass trimmings on the grass for natural fertilizer (grasscycle),
- Recycle leaves and plant trimmings (if feasible),
- Take care with lawn watering, allowing the lawn to go dormant during droughts.
- Use the rainwater. Direct downspouts to planted beds or lawn areas, so that the rainwater from the building can irrigate the plants.
- Collect rainwater. Consider installing rain barrels or cisterns to collect and store rainwater for gardeners to use, or for dry periods.
- Use the landscape to help manage stormwater. If you have areas that are very wet from runoff from a building or parking lot, consider installing a raingarden to help absorb the stormwater. Green roofs are another option to absorb stormwater runoff from a building’s roof, and also help insulate and improve energy efficiency in the building. If you are replacing pavement or sidewalks, consider permeable paving stones or other materials that allow some of the water to drain into the soil, and reduce runoff.
Individual Unit Owners
As many condominium units are not individually metered for water use, unit owners may not know how much water they are using or if they have a leak.
- Toilets and laundry are the major water users in most homes (view statistics on average water usage).
- Encourage unit owners to install low flow toilets, or the flapperless toilet model, to help conserve water. The association could consider a bulk purchase of toilets to offer residents a reduced cost.
- Choose Energy Star when replacing a clothes washer to save water and energy.
- Check pipes and faucets for leaks. Even small leaks can waste significant amounts of water. Water leaks are not only a waste of water, but also of the energy needed to heat the water.
- Turn off the water when brushing teeth or shaving.
- Try to keep your shower to five minutes or less.
- Install low flow showerheads and faucet aerators. Look for ones that use no more than 2.5 gallons per minute at maximum flow (for showerheads) and 2.2 gallons per minute maximum flow (for faucets).
- Check the toilet for leaks. Leaks inside a toilet can waste up to 200 gallons of water per day. Toilet leaks can be detected by taking the tank cover off and placing several drops of food coloring in the tank. You have a leak if you see the coloring in the bowl after a few minutes. Most leaks involve the rubber flapper or shut off valve found in the tank. Repair as soon as possible.
- View other water conservation tips.
For additional information on making your condo green, please contact:
Jeff Wu
Century 21, New Millenium
571-248-1110
240-994-7938
Jeff@AgentKnowsHomes.com
www.AgentKnowsHomes.com
