Water resources are vital for the functions of our homes, our businesses and our community.

It is to your benefit as a homeowner, business person or community resident to use water wisely. When you save water, you save money and energy and you help save the environment. The City of Hialeah Gardens has prepared several water-saving tips that will help you conserve water in your home.

Most of the water used in your home is used in the bathroom.

• A toilet uses five to seven gallons for each flush and a shower uses five to ten gallons per minute.

• Check for leaks in the toilet tank or bowl. Put a little food coloring into your toilet tank and let it sit for 15 minutes. If the color appears in the bowl without flushing, you have a leak that should be repaired immediately. A leaky toilet can waste as much as 200 gallons of water a day.

Water can also be saved in the kitchen.

• When cooking most foods, use less water and put a lid on the pot.
  
  
• Plug the drain or use a pan of water when washing vegetables. The water can later be poured onto houseplants.
  
  
• Use the garbage disposal sparingly.
  
  
• Load the dishwasher to capacity. A partially filled washer wastes water and energy.
  
  
• Turn off the faucet. This may sound simple, but gallons of water are wasted daily while people wash dishes, clean vegetables, shave and brush their teeth.
  
  
• Save 25-100 gallons per week if you run your washing machine only when full, or for smaller loads, adjust the water level setting carefully; washing machines use 25-30 gallons per load.
   
• Save 3-7 gallons per minute if you reduce the time you take in the shower to five minutes or less.

Water can also be saved outdoors. Use a broom instead of a hose to clean sidewalks and driveways. Water your lawn slowly and thoroughly during cool morning or evening hours when there is little wind. And don’t waste water by letting it run on sidewalks, the driveway and into the street.

Lawn and garden pesticides and fertilizers can pollute the water. Reduce your use of pesticides and fertilizers and look for safer alternatives to control bugs. For example use geraniums to repel Japanese beetles: garlic and mint to repel aphids: and marigolds to repel white flies!

What’s dumped on the ground, poured down the drain or tossed in the trash can pollute the sources of our drinking water. Take used motor oil and other automotive fluids to an automotive service center that recycles them. Also take any leftover paint, solvents and toxic household products to a special collection center that will dispose of them properly.

It’s also a good idea to locate and tag your water shut-off valve so you can find it quickly in an emergency.

Please DO NOT pour your cooking grease or oils down your drain. It can cause a sewer to back up into your home and an expensive plumbing repair bill.

DO YOU KNOW WHEN TO IRRIGATE?

Year-round landscaping watering ordinances are in place to help protect our local water resources

• Landscape and lawn watering IS NOT permitted between 10am and 4 pm because that's when evaporation is highest 
• Properties ending with an EVEN number address are permitted to water on Thursdays and/or Sundays
• Properties ending with an ODD number address are permitted to water on Wednesdays and/or Saturdays
• Hand watering plants, as well as other outdoor activities (such as car and boat washing), are allowed at any time when using a hose with a self-cancelling nozzle

PERMANENT LANDSCAPE IRRIGATION RESTRICTIONS
Sec. 32-8.2 Miami-Dade County Code

MORE THAN 50 PERCENT OF WATER USED IN URBAN SETTINGS IS FOR LANDSCAPE IRRIGATION. WITH BILLIONS OF GALLONG OF WATER USED EVERY DAY AND MORE EXPECTED TO BE USED AS THE POPULATION CONTINUES TO GROW, WE ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO DO THEIR PART TO CONSERVE WATER AND ENSURE COMMUNITIES AND THE ENVIRONMENT CONTINUE TO THRIVE