 conserveh2o news fall 2010   ten minutes could save you water and money toilets use about 27 of the water used in the average home and they are one of the most likely places to find a leak testing toilets for leaks is quick and easy and could save you hundreds to thousands of gallons of water a month read how to test your toilets for leaks here or watch our how to video looking for more ways to save water   browse our website to find out how to retrofit older toilets so they use less water per flush or learn about new high performance toilets that use up to 4 times less water than some older toilets more indoor water conservation tips what to do now for your lawn the cooler weather we have been experiencing lately is ideal for rejuvenating your lawn  in fact with a little work now you can be assured that your lawn will be healthier and more water efficient next summer what to do aerating your lawn now will help loosen up compacted soil and promote better root growth you can aerate your lawn with a rented power aerator or by hand with a garden fork after aerating check your lawn s thickness by gently parting the blades if you see soil or have bare spots it is time to over seed with a rye fescue mix designed for pacific northwest conditions finally top dress with fine compost about a quarter inch deep use of compost will improve the condition of soil and allow for better water retention thereby reducing your lawn s water needs water conservation heros we salute you  hillary recently wrote us to share how her girls madison and emma are serious about conserving water they fell in love with your shower timer now race each morning to better their shower time said hillary as a parent i love that they are more aware of how much water they were using do you have a water conservation hero in your home we would love to hear from you  we will be at several local nurseries this summer to answer your water efficient landscaping questions stop by our booth and get your free watering gauge kit and other water efficient gardening resources  june 13  dennis seven dees  lake oswego  june 13  drakes seven dees june 20  al s garden center  gresham  june 27  al s garden center  sherwood  july 18  portland nursery  stark st together we can make a great impact in our water conservation efforts here are 5 simple tips that we all can practice this summer 1 water before 10 am or after 6 pm when temperatures are cooler and the air is calmer 2 water 1 inch per week on average lawns need 1 inch of water per week though you may need to water more or less depending on the weather 3 adjust your sprinklers so that they re watering your plants and lawn  and not the sidewalk or street 4 check your irrigation system for leaks or broken lines even a small leak can be a big water waster 5 use a drip system or soaker hose to apply water directly to your plant s root system learn more outdoor conservation tips   the consortium provides planning and management support for the portland metro region s municipal water supplies contact us   copyright 2008 all rights reserved  node147 data try var pagetracker gatgettracker ua43522461 pagetrackertrackpageview catch err  