Ground Water

Simple steps to conserve ground water in the home

Gov. Bobby Jindal has proclaimed this week as Ground Water Awareness Week in the state of Louisiana.

“If we all take small steps to conserve water, we can make a big impact on the effort to maintain balance in our ground water supplies,” said Louisiana Department of Natural Resources Secretary Scott Angelle, who is also chairman of the state Ground Water Resources Commission.

Here are some basic actions anyone who wishes to help conserve ground water can take during the awareness week to build the habit of good stewardship of one of our state’s most crucial natural resources.

A starting point for conserving water can be found in our kitchens. When washing dished by hand, do not run the water constantly. Use it only when needed to soak or rinse dishes. For homes equipped with dishwashers, families can conserve water by using their dishwashers only when fully loaded.

For families who want to take an extra step, installing high efficiency, low-flow faucet aerators also helps cut down on the amount of water used.

Bathrooms are another key area to look to in conserving water. Turning off water while brushing teeth or shaving can save on water usage. Family  members can also conserve water in the bathroom by taking shorter showers or by filling bathtubs to a lower level for baths. Families should also remember that toilets are not trash cans, and should not be used to flush what can be put in garbage cans.

Extra conservation steps in the bathroom include installing low-flow toilets and water-saving shower heads.

Throughout houses and yards, families should also check for leaking faucets.