An average household will run approximately 650 pump cycles per year. Over time, above average water usage may cause premature wear of the pump. A leaky toilet, for example, can cause approximately 440 extra pump cycles per year, cutting the life expectancy of your pump considerably.
At the MD, we encourage all residents to use the water they need, but not waste it. As shown below, there are at least a hundred simple ways to save water.
Browse this section for...
Adjust your lawn mower to a higher setting. A taller lawn shades roots and holds soil moisture better than if it is closely clipped.
Use sprinklers that deliver big drops of water close to the ground. Smaller water drops and mist often evaporate before they hit the ground.
When washing dishes by hand, fill the sink basin or a large container and rinse when all of the dishes have been soaped and scrubbed.
Leave lower branches on trees and shrubs and allow leaf litter to accumulate on the soil. This keeps the soil cooler and reduces evaporation.
Water only when necessary. More plants die from over-watering than from under-watering.