18. Add pervious surfaces to driveways, parking lots, and walkways. Wherever you can, instead of paving, think about footing options, such as gravel or pavers, that allow surface runoff to percolate into the soil.
19. Install water-saving devices. Upgrade toilets with efficient dual-flush models (this can save up to 17,000 gallons of water per year for a family of four). Do a "waterwise" assessment. Get ideas on the Internet and from your local utilities for ways to reduce water use.
20. Fix that leaky faucet. Faucet repair can save up to 300 gallons a month. Use timers when filling water tanks to prevent overflows.
21. Landscape with drought-tolerant plants and use mulch. Native trees and shrubs are more tolerant of the growing conditions in your area. They require less watering and fewer chemicals or fertilizers. Using mulch significantly reduces evaporation on the soil surface, and you will be amazed at how much moisture a good layer of mulch will retain.
22. Irrigate wisely. Adjust sprinklers so only your lawn or pasture is watered-not the house, barn, paddocks, or driveway! Water pastures in the morning or evening when temperatures are cooler to minimize evaporation. Also check for leaks, as these systems are notorious for leaking. Proper irrigation conserves water and promotes deeper root growth.
Horses for Clean Water
Horses for Clean Water, an award-winning program now in its 11th year, offers ways to care for horses that benefit the horse, the property, the owner, the community, and the environment. Maple Valley, Washington resident Alayne Blickle is a lifelong equestrian and creator/director of Horses for Clean Water. She shares techniques such as mud management, composting manure, and natural insect control too. As an environmental educator and media producer, Alayne works with natural resource agencies, horse groups, and individuals across the country. She is well known for her enthusiastic, down-to-earth approaches to horsekeeping. For more information on HCW, visit the website at www.HorsesforCleanWater.com.
23. Reduce herbicide, pesticide, and other chemical use. Think carefully before you choose a chemical that may end up in a waterway. Consider the least toxic options for weed removal and pest controls. Many pesticides, quick-release fertilizers, and weed-and-feed products may result in health risks and may actually kill beneficial soil organisms.
24. Dispose of hazardous waste at county-run approved locations. These facilities can treat waste properly to slow or stop its travel to the aquifer. Contact your county for specific information on disposal options.
25. Refuel farm and yard equipment on a cement pad. That way, if a spill occurs, it can evaporate or you can clean it up properly. Don't refuel equipment directly over soil or fields where contaminants can leach into water systems.
26. Think about what you flush or pour down the drain. It is on a direct path to the water cycle!
The changes we make, both small and large, do make a difference. The better we understand where our water comes from and just how precious a resource it is, the likelier we are to protect it.
