The Hows and Whys... Using Less Water

The Hows and Whys...
Using Less Water

Summary
Why conserve water? Wise use of water is a good idea for many reasons:

On a large scale, wise water use protects our environment and preserves a natural resource.

On a personal level, wise water use saves money by reducing water bills.

On the community level, wise water use will lengthen the life of delivery systems because less stress is placed on the system. Increased water use can overburden municipal and private sewage treatment systems which may result in watering restrictions and higher costs.

On average, North American cities use twice as much water per person as Western European cities and seven times that used in developing countries.

In the United States, five billion gallons of water are flushed down toilets each day. Use of low flow toilets would cut use to 1.5 billion gallons. Replacing standard 3.5 gallon toilets with 1.6 gallon toilets would save an average household 12,000 gallons of water per year.

How is water used in homes? An evaluation in 2000 in Lincoln, Nebraska by the city's government showed that, on average, a family of four uses 300 to 400 gallons of water each day. That 300 to 400 gallons average water use is attributed to the following uses:

Toilet flushing - 42 percent

Showers and Bathing - 30 percent

Laundry - 14 percent

Dishwashing - 6 percent

Drinking and cooking - 5 percent

Bathroom sinks - 3 percent

Where does water go after it is used? Most municipalities operate and maintain water treatment facilities. The city of Lincoln, Nebraska's Theresa Street water plant treats about 30 million gallons of water a day. During the summer when water use increases, Lincoln's water system delivers 80 to 90 million gallons a day to customers.

low water faucet Ways To Reduce Water Use In Your Home
There are any number of ways water use can be reduced around the home:

Reduce total indoor water use by installing efficient fixtures and appliances.

Have an efficient and drought resistant landscape that incorporates xeriscape techniques. Other suggestions include planting low-water use turf and using microclimate improvements.

Control runoff from the property using appropriate guttering and landscape designs.

Have a responsible irrigation schedule.

Be frugal with water use.

Ways to Cut Water Use in New Homes
If you are planning to build a new home, consider these water saving options:

Shower heads have a maximum flow rating of 2.5 gallons per minute
Toilets have a maximum water usage rating of 1.6 gallons per flush

Permeable paving materials are used in at least 60 percent of all paving areas such as walkways, patios and driveways

Low water use grasses such as blue gramma, buffalo or fescue are planted

A valved distribution system is installed in the home

A xeriscaped landscape is installed in more than 80 percent of the property's non-paved areas

The kitchen sink has a maximum flow rating of 2.0 gallons per minute

A front loading horizontal axis clothes washer is included in the home

The home has a water conserving irrigation system with rain-override timer or soil moisture sensor; other features include drip irrigation, soaker hoses and bubblers and zoned irrigation with separate valving for plants' needs

A graywater irrigation system is installed in the home

Copper piping is used for all potable water lines

The site is graded to direct water away from foundations to a harvesting area that prevents water runoff

No garbage disposal is included

Other Resources on Reducing Water Use

NebFacts — Making Decisions: Household Water Saving Equipment Practices

University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension in Lancaster County — Water Conservation

University of Nebraska Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources — Conserving Water in the Landscape

Lincoln Water System — Why Conserve? and Wise Ways to Save Water Indoors

Low Water Use and Drought Tolerant Plants Recommended in Nebraska

Trees
Common Name	Scientific Name	Avg. Height	Photos
Amur Maple	Acer ginnala	25 feet	http://new.oplin.org/tree/fact%20pages/maple_amur/maple_amur.html
Norway Maple	Acer platanoides	50 feet	http://new.oplin.org/tree/fact%20pages/maple_norway/maple_ norway.html
Hickory	Carya ovata	60 feet	http://www.ag.auburn.edu/hort/landscape/dbpages/17.html
Common Hackberry	Celtis occidentalis	60 feet	http://new.oplin.org/tree/fact%20pages/hackberry/hackberry.html
Eastern Redbud	Cercis canadensis	20 feet	http://new.oplin.org/tree/fact%20pages/redbud/redbud.html
Thornless Cockspur Hawthorn	Crataegur crusgalli iInerinis	20 feet	www.mpelectric.com/treebook/fact27.html
Washington Hawthorn	Crataegus phaenopyrum	25 feet	http://dcwi.com/~bmills/trees/Rose/Hawthorn/WashingtonHawthorn /index.htm
Green Ash	Fraxinus pennsylvanica	60 feet	http://new.oplin.org/tree/fact%20pages/ash_green/ash_green.html
White Ash	Fraxinus americana	80 feet	http://dcwi.com/~bmills/trees/Olive/Ash/WhiteAsh/index.htm
Ginko	Ginko biloba	60 feet	http://new.oplin.org/tree/fact%20pages/gingko/gingko.html
Thornless Common Honeylocust	Gelditsia triacanthos inerinis	60 feet	http://dcwi.com/~bmills/trees/Caesalpinia/HoneyLocust/HoneyLocust/ index.htm
Kentuck Coffeetree	Gymnocladus dioica	60 feet	http://www.library.uiuc.edu/vex/toxic/kentucky/kntcky0.htm
Junipers	Juniperus scopulorum	25 – 35 feet	www.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu/aginfo/trees/handbook/th-3-157.pdf
Golden Raintree	Koelreuteria paniculata	30 feet	http://new.oplin.org/tree/fact%20pages/goldenrain_tree/ goldenrain_tree.html
Osage Orange (thornless male)	Maclura pomifera	50 feet	http://new.oplin.org/tree/fact%20pages/osage_orange/osage_orange.html
Crabapple	Malus sp.	15 – 25 feet	http://www.oplin.org/tree/fact%20pages/crabapple_flowering/ crabapple_flowering.html
Colorado Spruce	Picea pungens	50 feet	www.hcs.ohio-state.edu/hcs/TMI/Plantlist/pi_ngens.html
Black Hills Spruce	Pinus banksiana‘densata’	45 feet	www.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu/aginfo/trees/handbook/th-3-175.pdf
Jack Pine	Pinus banksiana	35 – 40 feet	www.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu/aginfo/trees/handbook/th-3-161.pdf
Austrian Pine	Pinus nigra	50 feet	http://www.kansasforests.org/conservation/evergreens/austrianpine.shtml
Ponderosa Pine	Pinus ponderosa	60 feet	http://www.botanik.uni-bonn.de/conifers/pi/pin/ponderosa.htm
Scotch Pine	Pinus sylvestris	40 feet	http://www.ndsu.nodak.edu/ndsu/lbakken/forest/towner_nur/ scotch_pine.htm
Douglas Fir	Pseudotsuga inenziesii	50 feet	www.hcs.ohio-state.edu/hcs/TMI/Plantlist/ps_iesii.html
Scarlet Oak	Quercus coccinea	65 feet	http://www.oplin.org/tree/fact%20pages/oak_scarlet/oak_scarlet.html
Shingle Oak	Quercus imbricaria	40 feet	http://www.oplin.org/tree/fact%20pages/oak_shingle/oak_shingle.html
Bur Oak	Quercus macrocarpa	50 feet	http://dcwi.com/~bmills/trees/Beech/Oak/WhiteOaks/BurOak/index.htm
Blackjack Oak	Quercus inarilandica	25 feet	http://www.oplin.org/tree/fact%20pages/oak_blackjack/ oak_blackjack.html
Black Oak	Quercus velutina	55 feet	http://dcwi.com/~bmills/trees/Beech/Oak/RedOaks/BlackOak/index.htm
Swamp Oak	Quercus bicolor	50 feet	http://www.oplin.org/tree/fact%20pages/oak_swamp_white/ oak_swamp_white.html
Black Locust	Robinia pseudoacacia	60 feet	http://dcwi.com/~bmills/trees/Pea/Locust/BlackLocust/index.htm
Baldcypress	Taxodium distichum	50 feet	http://www.oplin.org/tree/fact%20pages/baldcypress/baldcypress.html

Shrubs
Common Name	Scientific Name	Avg. Height	Photos
Saskatoon Serviceberry	Amelanchier alnifolia	6 feet	http://www.hcs.ohio-state.edu/hcs/TMI/Plantlist/amelanchier.html
Leadplant Amorpha	Amorpha canescens	8 – 20 feet	http://www.noble.org/imagegallery/woodhtml/Leadplant.html
Black Chokeberry	Aronia melanocarpa	10 feet	http://www.chicago-botanic.org/PPChokeberry.html
Mentor Barberry	Berberis x mentorensis	7 feet	www.hcs.ohio-state.edu/hcs/TMI/Plantlist/be_ensis.html
Japanese Barberry	Berberis thunbergii	7 feet	www.hcs.ohio-state.edu/hcs/TMI/Plantlist/be_ergii.html
Siberian Peashrub	Caragana arborescens	10– 15 feet	http://www.midwestlandscapeplants.org/plantdetails.cfm?speciesid=495
New Jersey Tea	Ceanothus americanus	3 feet	http://www.noble.org/imagegallery/woodhtml/NewJerseyTea.html
Flowering Quince	Chaenomeles Hybrids	2 – 4 feet	http://www.midwestlandscapeplants.org/plantdetails.cfm?speciesid=506
Corneliancherry Dogwood	Cornus mas	20 feet	http://www.midwestlandscapeplants.org/plantdetails.cfm?speciesid=522
Gray Dogwood	Cornus racemosa	10 feet	www.hcs.ohio-state.edu/hcs/TMI/Plantlist/co_emosa.html
Smokebush	Cotinus coggygria	10 feet	http://www1.uwex.edu/ces/landscapeplants/plantdetails.cfm?speciesid=533
Dwarf Bush-honeysuckle	Diervilla lonicera	3 – 4 feet	http://www.midwestlandscapeplants.org/plantdetails.cfm?speciesid=555
Common Witchhazel	Hamamelis virginiana	15 feet	http://www.midwestlandscapeplants.org/plantdetails.cfm?speciesid=603
Juniper	Juniperur chinensis	10 – 15 feet	www.hcs.ohio-state.edu/hcs/TMI/Plantlist/juniperus.html
Beautybush	Kolkwitzia amabilis	6 – 8 feet	http://www.midwestlandscapeplants.org/plantdetails.cfm?speciesid=654
Privet	Ligustruin species	15 – 20 feet	www.hcs.ohio-state.edu/hcs/TMI/Plantlist/li_olium.html
Blueleaf Honeysuckle	Lonicera korolkowii	15 feet	http://www.colostate.edu/Depts/CoopExt/4DMG/Trees/Shrubs/blueleaf.htm
Emerald Mound Honeysuckle	Lonicera maackii	2 feet	http://www.midwestlandscapeplants.org/plantdetails.cfm?speciesid=667
Amur Honeysuckle	Lonicera inaackii	15 feet	www.hcs.ohio-state.edu/hcs/TMI/Plantlist/lo_ackii.html
Common Ninebark	Physocarpus opulifolius	10 feet	http://www.midwestlandscapeplants.org/plantdetails.cfm?speciesid=726
Mugo Pine	Pinus mugo	5 – 15 feet	www.hcs.ohio-state.edu/hcs/TMI/Plantlist/pi_mugo.html
Nanking Cherry	Prunus tomentosa	15 feet	www.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu/aginfo/trees/handbook/th-3-11.pdf
Western Sandcherry	Prunus besseyi	4 feet	http://www.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu/aginfo/trees/handbook/th-3-45.pdf
Scarlet Firethorn	Pyracantha coccinea	6 feet	www.hcs.ohio-state.edu/hcs/TMI/Plantlist/py_cinea.html
Fragrant Sumac	Rhus aromatica	6 feet	http://www.midwestlandscapeplants.org/plantdetails.cfm?speciesid=811
Missouri Gooseberry	Ribes missouriense	3 feet	http://www.missouriwildflowerguide.com/Flowers/Gooseberry.html
Clove Currant	Ribes odoratum	8 feet	http://www.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu/aginfo/trees/handbook/th-3-19.pdf
Rugose Rose	Rosa rugosa	6 feet	http://www.midwestlandscapeplants.org/plantdetails.cfm?speciesid=825
Winged Euonymus	Euonymus alatus	20 feet	http://www.hcs.ohio-state.edu/hcs/TMI/Plantlist/eu_alata.html
Forsythia	Forsythia	10 feet	http://www.cnr.vt.edu/dendro/dendrology/syllabus/forsythiaspp.htm
Potentilla	Potentilla fruticosa	5 feet	http://www.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu/aginfo/trees/handbook/th-3-41.pdf
Elderberry	Sambucus canadensis	8 feet	http://www.duke.edu/~cwcook/trees/saca.html
Vanhoute Spirea	Spiraea x vanhouttei	6 – 8 feet	http://www.midwestlandscapeplants.org/plantdetails.cfm?speciesid=640
Western Snowberry	Symphoricarpos rotundifolius	3 – 4 feet	http://wisplants.uwsp.edu/scripts/detail.asp?SpCode=SYMOCC
Indiancurrant Coralberry	Symphoricarpos orbiculatus	5 feet	http://www.midwestlandscapeplants.org/plantdetails.cfm?speciesid=644
Common Lilac	Syringa vulgaris	10 feet	http://www.midwestlandscapeplants.org/plantdetails.cfm?speciesid=872
Wayfaringtree	Viburnuin lantana	10 feet	www.hcs.ohio-state.edu/hcs/TMI/Plantlist/vi_ntana.html
Nannyberry	Viburnum lentago	25 feet	www.hcs.ohio-state.edu/hcs/TMI/Plantlist/vi_ntago.html
Blackhaw Viburnum	Viburnum prunifolium	15 feet	http://hcs.osu.edu/hcs/TMI/Plantlist/vi_olium.html
Soapweed	Yucca glauca	3 feet	http://www.lib.ksu.edu/wildflower/yucca.html
Adam's-needle Yucca	Yucca filamentosa	2 feet	http://www.midwestlandscapeplants.org/plantdetails.cfm?speciesid=974

Wildflowers & Perennials
Common Name	Scientific Name	Photos
Yarrow Antennaria	Achillea species	http://www.colostate.edu/Depts/CoopExt/4DMG/Flowers/Perenls/moonwalk.htm
Pussytoes Artemisia	Artemisia	http://www.biosurvey.ou.edu/okwild/planlvpuss.html
New England Aster	Aster novae – angliae	http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/wildseed/31/31.7.html
Butterfly Weed	Asclepias tuberosa	http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/wildseed/21/21.4.html
False Indigo	Baptisia species	http://pss.uvm.edu/pss123/perbapti.html
Coreopsis	Coreopsis grandiflora	http://pss.uvm.edu/pss123/percoreo.html
Purple Prairie Clover	Dalea purpurea	http://www.lib.ksu.edu/wildflower/purplepclover.html
Purple Coneflower	Echinacea purpurea	http://www.biosurvey.ou.edu/okwild/purconeflr.html
Blanket Flower	Gaillardia sp.	http://classes.hortla.wsu.edu/hort232/list9/Gaillardia.html
Daylily	Hemerocallis sp.	http://www.cals.wisc.edu/westmad/perennials.html
Iris Species	Iris species	http://www.pssc.ttu.edu/pss1411cd/PLANTID/iris/iris.htm
Gayfeather	Liatris aspera Michx	http://www.lib.ksu.edu/wildflower/tallgay.html
Crimson bee-balm	Monarda didyma	http://pss.uvm.edu/pss123/permonar.html
Sedum	Sedum spectabile	http://beelab.osu.edu/garden/plants/sedum.html
Black-Eyed Susan	Rudbeckia hirta	http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/wildseed/20/20.2.html
Columbine	Aquilegia canadensis	http://www.lib.ksu.edu/wildflower/columbine.html
Russian Sage	Perovskia atriplicifolia	http://www.ag.auburn.edu/hort/landscape/dbpages/549.html
Hens-N-Chicks	Sempervivum tectorum	http://www.colostate.edu/Depts/CoopExt/4DMG/Flowers/Perenls/henchick.htm

Turfgrasses
Common Name	Scientific Name	Photos
Buffalograss	Buchloe dactyloides	http://www.colostate.edu/Depts/CoopExt/4DMG/Lawns/bufgrass.htm
Tall Fescue	Lolium arundinaceum	http://www.colostate.edu/Depts/CoopExt/4DMG/Lawns/tallfesc.htm

Ornamental Grasses
Common Name	Scientific Name	Photos
Big Bluestem	Andropogon gerardii	http://plants.usda.gov/cgi_bin/plant_profile.cgi?symbol=ANGE
Sideoats Grama	Bouteloua curtipendula	http://plants.usda.gov/cgi_bin/plant_profile.cgi?symbol=BOCU
Feather Reed Grass	Calamagrostis x	http://www.wsu.edu/~lohr/wcl/grasses/calamagr/wcakfdes.html
Sand Lovegrass	Reedgrass eragrostis trichodes	http://www.lib.ksu.edu/wildflower/sandlovegrass.html
Eulalia Grass	Miscanthus sinensis	http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/herbaceous/print/miscanthussinen.html
Switchgrass	Panicuin virgatuin	http://www.noble.org/imagegallery/grasshtml/Switchgrass.html
Fountaingrass	Pennisetum	http://plants.usda.gov/cgi_bin/plant_profile.cgi?symbol=PENNI
Little Bluestem	Schizachyrium scoparium	http://plants.usda.gov/cgi_bin/plant_profile.cgi?symbol=SCSC
Indiangrass	Sorghastrum nutans	http://plants.usda.gov/cgi_bin/plant_profile.cgi?symbol=SONU2
This information was compiled from a variety of sources by staff of the Nebraska Energy Office in 2003.