HARWICH WATER DEPARTMENT

Water Conservation

Water Restrictions  |  Household Conservation  |  Irrigation Conservation  |  Water Conservation FAQs

Water is a precious and limited resource we cannot afford to waste. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. population has doubled over the past 50 years, while our thirst for water has tripled. With at least 40 states anticipating water shortages by 2024, the need to conserve water is critical.We should all do our part to conserve. Water conservation reduces the need for developing new water sources and storage facilities, protects both streams and wetlands, and can save you money. Every drop counts and you can make a difference by paying attention to how you use water.

Non-Irrigation Outdoor Water Conservation 

• Choose plants and shrubs best suited for Cape Cod soil
• Collect rainwater and use it for your plants and garden
• Use adjustable shut-off nozzles on hoses
• Repair or replace dripping spigots and leaking hoses
• Help the roots of your lawn retain moisture by raising your lawn mower wheel setting

Water that is used outdoors during the summer in Harwich accounts for up to 60% of the Town's total annual water consumption.  There is so much you can do to conserve on irrigation that we have a separate tab for these conservation tips.  Learn more about Irrigation Conservation

Conservation in the Kitchen  

• Fill a pitcher of water from the tap and keep it in the refrigerator instead of running the faucet until cold. A running faucet can waste 3-5 gallons of water per minute (gpm).
• When cleaning vegetables, soak them in a basin. The water can be reused for plants.
• Run your dishwasher only when it is full. If you have a small amount of dishes, hand wash them. 
• Soak pots and dishes right after after they are used to reduce the water needed to clean them.
• Install low-flow faucet aerators on your kitchen faucets. The aerator can be screwed into your existing faucet and can reduce water use

Conservation in the Bathroom  

• Turn off the water while shaving, brushing your teeth, etc.
• Take shorter showers and/or install a low-flow showerhead 
• Consider Installing faucet aerators on your bathroom faucets 
• Consider replacing your toilet with a low-flush toilet
• Fix leaky faucets and toilets as soon as you notice them. A slow drip can waste est. 15 - 20 gallons per day
• Check your toilet for a leak by placing a few drops of food coloring in the tank of your toilet and waiting 15 minutes without flushing. If color appears in the toilet bowl, you have a leak. Be sure to flush as soon as your test is done because the food coloring may stain the bowl

Conservation in the Laundry Room  

• Wash full loads of laundry
• When washing partial loads don't use more water than you need. Adjust the water level as needed
• ENERGY STAR certified clothes washers use about 25% less energy and 40% less water than regular clothes washers
• Wash when clothes are dirty instead of each time they are worn