Summer Fun Tips That Won’t Waste Water

 

When the summer season moves in, it brings with it a lot changes to the way we live. For families, the kids are no longer at school for most of the day, and parents can spend more quality time with them, either at home or on vacation.

The weather gets warmer and more pleasant, and the even the days get longer.But not all of these changes are so benign. Summer also brings with it less frequent rainfall, but this is also the exact time when grass, trees, and other vegetation are in full bloom and require more water than ever to stay healthy.

This is also the time when water usage goes up more than normal with diversions like playing in the sprinkler. But, there are things you can do even during a period of heavier water usage to minimize water usage as well as the spike you might get in your bills.

Get a Cover for Your Pool

 

One of the most entertaining—and expensive—ways to enjoy water in the summer at home is with a full-blown swimming pool built into the yard.

You might be tempted, once it’s filled and ready to go for the summer, to keep it exposed and prepared for action. Instead, think about getting a cover for it and putting it in place when the pool’s not in use.

This lets you save on replenishing water because the pool is protected during the hottest part of the day, when water tends to evaporate. This also saves on maintenance costs.

You’re not pulling leaves out of the water, and your chemicals and filters don’t have to deal with contaminants from above, like bird droppings.

Be Strategic About Watering the Yard

 

If you’re going to let the kids run through the sprinkler, count that as the time when you’re watering the yard for the week.

However, during those other occasions when the kids aren’t using the water, but the yard itself still needs maintenance, timing is everything.

Watering a yard during the hottest part of the day is great for kids, but not so great for water efficiency. That heat evaporates a lot of the usable water before your vegetation can absorb it.

If you time your watering of plants during the cooler times, such as in the morning, or in the evening, then the water lingers for much longer. This lets you water your yard less frequently because you’re making your water go the distance.

Create a Water Play-set

 

If you have toys that your smaller children love to play with in the tub, why stop there? Take a container for water, such as for laundry, fill it with water, decorate it with rocks and other items at the bottom, then let your children play with their toys.

Now all the splashing with toys normally reserved only for the bathtub is allowed outside as well. If you bring other water safe toys, kids can have a lot of fun splashing with toys in the water, without actually drawing more water from your home’s water supply.