During the summer we rush outside every chance we get to enjoy the fresh air, the cool green grass and the joys of outdoor recreation. The reality is that during the summer months to create exceptional and green outdoor spaces it generally takes a massive amount of water. That water usage doesn’t stop in the yard either, it can be going into showers, hoses for water gun fights and the kitchen for washing all those delicious fresh fruits and vegetables. But how can you enjoy the summer and also not be too stressed about water usage and what that will inevitably mean for your water bill? Take a look at some of the tips below on how to increase water efficiency. 1) Only water your yard in the cooler parts of the day, either early in the morning or in the evening close to dusk. When you water your lawn during the hottest parts of the day the water that should be absorbed into your lawn is actually being evaporated before it even has a chance to penetrate the topsoil. Another idea is too replace the grass with a garden that uses drought tolerant plants. Gardens are a great way to reduce water usage and also create some great produce that your family can use throughout the summer months and into the fall. 2) Inspect your toilet for leaks. This simple test can be found all over the internet and on YouTube if you need visual reference. You simply put a half dozen drops of food coloring into the toilet tank. Wait for an hour or so and if any of that dye is found in the bowl then you definitely have a leak. Even a small leak can waste gallons of water per day and if left all summer the dent in your water bill will be noticable. For an inspection give us a call here at Jolly Plumbing! 3) This one may seem obvious but we will mention it here anyway. A sure-fire way to decrease water usage is to shorten your shower. Even shaving 5 - 10 minutes off of your overall shower time can dramatically decrease daily water consumption. If you want to take it to an extreme you can shut the shower off while you are shaving or doing the bulk of your washing and then rinse off the soap all at once. If you don’t want to take things that far you can always invest in an energy-efficient shower head. 4) Using a dishwasher can save some valuable gallons of water every day as well. Not only does a dishwasher make the entire process more efficient and more enjoyable it also uses a quarter of the water you would likely be using to hand wash your dishes. We hope the list above helped you get a grasp on water efficiency and how you can use less and enjoy summer more. For an inspection or any plumbing, related questions don’t hesitate to give Jolly Plumbing a call today!