Wrapping up our month of super simple water saving tips at home, today’s tip is a big one: use a broom to clean outdoor areas (such as driveways) instead of using a hose. According to the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, this can save as much as 150 gallons of water each time someone washes a driveway. (In addition to being a good tip, if you live in Los Angeles, it’s also the law - those who break it face hefty fines.)
Another environmental benefit from using a broom instead of a hose is that you reduce storm water runoff. Oil and antifreeze can leak out of cars and go into storm drains, which usually flows directly into the nearest stream, lake or ocean. When you use a hose to wash down your driveway, you are sending those chemicals straight to the storm drain.
Also in many cities (for example Los Angeles), it’s illegal to use a gas powered leaf blower on your lawn or sidewalks, so don’t switch from using water to that option! And even if not illegal, using gas or electric-powered blowers just adds to air and noise pollution and increases your carbon footprint
So as the California drought continues on, and with January and February being the driest on record, we hope these water tips inspire you to make some simple changes that result in effective water savings for your household.
Ready to take action?
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