Get to a National Park This Summer: Simple Water Conservation Tips

Practical ways to save water at home

💧 Water Conservation Practices You Can Enact This Summer

On a recent trip to Canada with my daughter Cerena, we visited Niagara Falls, a breathtaking reminder of both the power & abundance of water. It also got me thinking more deeply about how we use and conserve it. While Horseshoe Falls sends over three quarters of a million gallons of water cascading down every second, this seemingly abundant resource still requires our care, especially as summer heat & demand rise.

Here are some practical ways you can conserve water at home and in your community:

Outdoors

Water lawns early in the morning or late evening to reduce evaporation. Limit watering to 1–2 times per week, and only when needed. Use native or drought-tolerant plants, which require far less water and are better suited to your climate. Mulching your garden helps retain moisture and reduces the need for frequent watering. Don’t forget the obvious- and fix leaky holes and outdoor faucets. Even small drips can waste hundreds of gallons over the summer.

Indoors

Check for hidden leaks, faucets, and pipes. Here’s a simple test to find out if your toilet is leaking. Add food coloring to your toilet tank—if it seeps into the bowl, there’s a leak. Shorten your showers (cutting just 2 minutes saves up to 5 gallons). Turn off the tap while brushing teeth, shaving, or washing dishes. Only run dishwashers and washing machines with full loads. Install water-efficient fixtures like low-flow showerheads and dual-flush or high-efficiency toilets.

Water conservation doesn’t require major sacrifices, just smart choices. Every drop saved today helps ensure a reliable supply tomorrow!