Resources
Water efficiency
We're fortunate that our Beulah Park water comes from a natural spring that overflows into Puget Sound. But that groundwater source is vulnerable to drought, so a little care from all of us keeps the supply healthy. A few ways to help:
Inside your home
Bathrooms account for over half of home water use.
- Swap fixtures for low-flow options: toilets at 1.6 gallons per flush, showerheads at 2.0 gpm, sink aerators at 1.0 gpm.
- Take shorter showers.
- Turn off the water while brushing and shaving.
- Check your toilet for leaks with a dye test.
In the kitchen
Most kitchen water goes to washing dishes, with some for food prep.
- Hand-washing? Don't run the water continuously. Fill a partial sink, then rinse with the spray attachment on your tap.
- Run the dishwasher only for full loads, on the shortest cycle. Use the water-saving setting if it has one.
- Skip running water to defrost food. Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight instead.
In the garden
The garden is where we can save the most, especially in summer.
- Mulch around trees and plants. Bark, peat moss, or gravel slows evaporation.
- Landscape with native plants. WSU Cooperative Extension has plenty of resources to help.
- Avoid watering on windy days.
- Add an inexpensive hose timer so you don't over-water. Soaker hoses cut evaporation too.
- Collect rainwater to use on your landscape.