The heat is on! Summer is just around the corner, and while it’s fun to relax at the beach, splash in the pool, and enjoy an icy beverage, warm temperatures aren’t all fun and games.

As the climate continually increases, droughts are becoming more common than ever before. There are certain parts of the country that these droughts currently affect more than others, like California. But, it’s important for all of us to do our part to conserve water – especially during the warmer months!

Thankfully, you can save water in the summer and still stay cool at the same time. Check out these useful tips to make a difference.

Water Your Yard When It’s Cooler

 

The scorching sun can do some serious damage to your yard, so it’s not uncommon for people to run sprinkler systems to keep things green. Unfortunately, when you run your sprinkler during the day, much of that water is instantly evaporating. Not only does that make it harder to keep your lawn green, but it’s a huge waste! Instead, water your lawn in the morning or evening when temperatures are cooler. Less water will evaporate and more will get absorbed into the ground. As a result, you may be able to get away with watering less often!

Make the Most of Your Showers

There are three ways you can make a positive mark when you take a shower in the summer. First, take shorter showers! No one wants to stand in hot water for long period of time when it’s 90 degrees out, anyway. You can also choose to take cooler showers. This doesn’t necessarily help to save water, but it can save energy. Plus, you may be more inclined to take a shorter shower if it’s brisk, anyway!

Finally, put the water you’d otherwise ‘waste’ to good use! Put a bucket in your shower and allow it to fill with the water that would otherwise go down your drain while you’re waiting for the shower to warm up. You can also leave the bucket in there with you to fill while you’re taking your shower. Then, use it to water your garden! If the water gets soapy, make sure the brand of soap you use is safe for plants.

Cover Your Pool

Having a pool at home is a great way to stay cool during the summer. But, when you’re not using the pool, keep it covered! Keeping it open can allow a lot of water to evaporate off the surface. You might have to continuously add more to keep the water level at an appropriate spot. By covering it, you’ll keep the water in the pool, where it belongs, and won’t have to keep adding (wasting!) more.

There are so many things you can do during the summer months to save water, energy, and more. Making these conscious efforts doesn’t mean you have to give up on your fun in the sun, either. You’ll feel better knowing you’re doing your part, and you can save time and money while doing it!