Water Conservation
Residential Water Conservation in North Carolina
Save Water At Home
Save Water Outdoors:
- Avoid over-watering lawn
- Landscaping Guidance: Use native plants
- Rainwater Harvesting Guidance: Capture rainwater with tips from NC State University Extension
- Fix leaks: Explore a variety of suggestions from EPA's Watersense program to ensure you're not losing water to leaks around your house.
Click here for more outdoor saving water tips from the US EPA!
Save Water Indoors:
- Fix indoor leaks (faucets, toilets, etc.)
- Wash full loads only
- Save water from shower and sinks to water indoor plants
- Scrape dishes instead of rinsing them before loading into dishwasher
- Install WaterSense approved products
Click here for more indoor water saving tips from the US EPA
Resources for Educators
Teach your students about the value of water conservation.
What's Your Water Footprint: Water Footprint Calculator Home Page
Teacher's Resources for Water Education | U.S. Geological Survey
Additional Resources
Other materials to support local utilities and water conservation.
- Water Conservation - American Water Works Association
- Water Conservation Plan Guidelines | US EPA
- https://www.epa.gov/water-sense/irrigation-pro
- The Energy in Water Infographic | US EPA
Drought and North Carolina
Drought FAQs:
- What is drought?
- Who determines North Carolina's Drought Status?
- Where can I find the latest drought levels in North Carolina?
Water Conservation is Important Because...
...It Preserves and Protects Our Natural Resources
Conserving water can help preserve our natural resources. Conserving water means more water is available to serve additional water needs, as well as for wildlife and recreation. Water conservation practices can result in lower wastewater discharges which can mean an improvement in overall water quality. Conserving water diminishes our need to find or build new water sources, leaving them in reserve for our possible later use.
...It Saves Money for You and Your Community
Conserving water reduces the amount of money you spend each month for household water use. Your community saves the money spent pumping and treating water before and after use, plus conservation can delay expenditures for additional water sources and treatment facilities.
...It Ensures the Reliability of Your Water Supply
Water conservation can positively affect the reliability of your water supplies during periods of high demands (such as the summer months) and during droughts. Communities should implement a water conservation program that discourages wasteful water use at all times and restricts non-essential water uses during droughts. During droughts, such a program can enable a community to respond to water shortages early and thus avoid the need for more extreme measures later.