Have Fun this Summer While Conserving Water

Summer is synonymous with sunshine, free time, and finding ways to escape the heat. The higher the mercury rises, the more tempted we might be to take a dip in the pool or splash ourselves down with a hose.

Water usage jumps during summer partly for this reason. The average family uses about 320 gallons of water per day most of the year, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. That number can spike to 1,000 gallons per day during the warmer months. Some families might even use up to 3,000 gallons per day, which is the equivalent of running a garden hose for eight hours straight.

This can take a toll on public resources, not to mention your water bill. Thankfully there are a number of ways your family can enjoy the sun and stay cool without putting too much pressure on your water consumption.

Here are a few ways to have fun this summer while conserving water.

Teach Your Kids to Garden

It’s never too early to teach your kids life skills, especially when it comes to maintaining the home and its surroundings. Gardening is an activity that can offer such lessons, which can include water conservation.

A good way to do this is to plant flora that can be found locally. If certain plants are known to grow in the wild in your area, it’s an indication they’re used to the weather conditions and therefore don’t need to be watered often. Along the way, your kids will learn the value of starting and finishing a project plus the value of patiently waiting for the fruits of their labor to fully bloom.

Two in One: Water Your Lawn and Cool Off

Much of the extra water we use during summer is for landscaping purposes. Keeping grass green and flowers looking beautiful requires regular watering. But there’s a way to hit two birds with one stone by staying cool while watering your lawn and garden.

Installing an automatic sprinkler can simultaneously distribute water across your property while giving your family a fun way to find relief on a hot day. Jump through the water jets while taking care of the yard at the same time. If you don’t have a sprinkler, use a hose and have your kids take turns jumping through the stream.

Head to the Local Pool

Taking a trip to the local pool to cool off during a hot day is a sure bet to save water at home. Make use of a public resource instead of wasting your own water.

These facilities are staffed by well-trained lifeguards who will always be on hand to help with any problems. You and your spouse get to relax while the kids play with other children from the neighborhood. Public pools are meant to be used, so you might as well enjoy them.