Ginny DiFrancesco UNH Cooperative Extension Program Associate Water

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Ginny DiFrancescoUNH Cooperative
ExtensionProgram Associate Water Ag Resources
Water Conservation 101
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Water, water everywhere.we use water for
everything!
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to drink
brush our teeth
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cook our food
clean our homes
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take a bath
do laundry
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fish
swim
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stay cool
grow food
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sustain wildlife
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or put out a fire
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When you save water, you save money!
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Drought in NH
Whats Really Happening? What Can You Do to
Help?
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Whats Happening
taken from NH DES Bulletin February 2002
The NH Drought Management Team warn residents
with wells to conserve their water. Recent data
indicates that from Sept - Dec rainfall was only
50-70 of normal over most of the state (Coos
County is the exception with 90 of normal).
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Water levels...
Stream flows south of Coos County are only 1/3 -
2/3 of normal. Groundwater levels are below
normal and some monitoring wells are reporting
record lows. Lake Winnipesaukee (for example) is
lower this year than it has been since 1964!
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Why Should You Care?
Groundwater levels usually do not increase during
winter months Some towns have already
established water restrictions.. Your town may be
next! Once well water becomes depleted, it takes
time before the resource is recharged! Drilling
a new well is expensive and many well
drillers report a current back-log of
several months
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Ok..you know theres a problem, but what can you
do?
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Conserve Water!
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Water Conservation in the Home

• Repair leaky faucets
• Install faucet aerators
• Run full-load washes
• Take short showers instead of baths
• Install low flow shower head
• Repair leaky toilets
• Install a toilet displacement device

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Water Conservation Outside

• Wash cars with buckets and sponge
• Minimize your lawn area
• Sweep rather than hose driveways and decks
• Do not water during windy conditions
• Cover your swimming pool
• Utilize rain barrels

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More Outdoor Water Conservation

• Base watering on soil moisture, weekly
  precipitation and plant/turf conditions
• Use a rain gauge to measure rainfall
• Spot water only areas that are dry
• Do not over-water.. water only to the depth of
  the root zone
• Check your sprinkler direction and dont water
  the pavement.

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Whenever Possible

• Purchase a low-flush toilet model
• (saves over 7,000 gal per year per person)
• Purchase a water-saving washing machine (uses 40
  less water than older models)
• When buying a new dish washer, select a light
  wash option. (uses 20 less water)
• For outdoor plants.. select indigenous species.
  (save as much as 54 on water)

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Complete Domestic or Business Water Use
Conservation Audit

• A Water Use Audit is your first step in
  developing an effective water conservation plan.
  A plan to identify losses and implementing useful
  water efficiency practices!
• See NH Department of Environmental Service Fact
  Sheets

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Water Trivia Facts

• How much water does it take to make 4 new tires?
• Does water regulate the earths temperature?
• How long can a
  person live without water?

2,072 gallons
Yes
Approximately 1 week
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• How much water does an acre of corn give off
  per day in evaporation?
• How much water is used to flush a toilet?
• How much water is used to brush your teeth?
  
  Or for a 5 min. shower?

4000 gallons
2-7 gallons
2 gallons
25-50 gallons
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How much of the earth surface is water?

• How much of the earths water is suitable for
  drinking water?
• How much water does a person use each day?
• Is it possible to drink water that was part of
  the dinosaur era?
• How much of an ear of corn is water? Or
  a pineapple? Or a tomato?
• How much water does it take to make a barrel of
  beer?

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Approximately 50 gallons
Yes
80
80
95
1,500 gallons
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Credits

• Information in this slide program has been
  compiled using UNH Cooperative Extension Why
  Saving Water Makes Sense, 3/02, Frank Mitchell,
  Extension Specialist http//ceinfo.unh.edu/common/
  documents/savewatr.htm
• and
• NH Department of Environmental Services Fact
  Sheets http//www.des.state.nh.us/