When You Open the Faucet, remember:

¬     Israel’s water supply is steadily decreasing.

¬     In Israel, which is situated in a hot and dry region, sources of water are very limited.

¬     Water reserves – Israel’s underground water supply are steadily decreasing.

¬     Israel’s population growth and the increase in the standard of living have increased the water consumption to a significant extent.

¬     The most wasteful use of water in your home is when flushing the toilet and bathing.

Each drop of water that is saved is a giant contribution to our water supply!

Ways to Save Water at Home

¬     Install a water saving regulator (Chascham), with a blue standard mark, on your water faucets in the kitchen, bathroom and shower.  The regulator is easy to install, reduces the amount of water used without reducing the convenience and enjoyment of the user, and saves about one third of the water which passes through it.

¬     Reduce the use of water when showering, brushing your teeth or washing dishes in the kitchen.

¬     Only use the dishwater when it is full.

¬     Only use the washing machine when it is full.

¬     Install devices which aid in saving water:

Þ          A dual flushing toilet tank which enables only half a flush:

Each full flush uses 9 liters of water.  The use of a dual flush system saves 18 liters of water per person per day, which constitutes 12% of the daily consumption.  The new flushing tanks use 6 liters of water for a full flush and 3 liters for a half flush.

Þ          Metal or plastic faucet regulator installed on household faucets maintains a steady and uniform water flow.

Þ          A shower head regulator saves 8% of water consumption at home.

Þ          A pressure regulator reduces the water pressure entering the household pipes and helps prevent problems with the plumbing.

¬     Check that there is no leak in the toilet:  A leak in the flushing tank is a common and sometimes unnoticed problem.  The repair is usually very simple and requires the replacement of the gasket at the bottom of the tank.  This can be checked by placing some toilet paper on the side where the water exits.  If the paper becomes wet, you must replace the gasket.

¬     Check for leaks in your home or in the garden:  To check for leaks, first close all the faucets in your home and in your garden and check whether there is any activity recorded on your water meter, which will indicate a leak.  In this case, it is recommended that you consult with a professional.

¬     Repair leaky faucets: Dripping from a leaky faucet wastes large amounts of water.

¬     Wash your car using a bucket:  Washing your car using a hose is wasteful, is against the law and carries a penalty of a high fine.  Using three buckets of water, you can wash an average car (21 liters) using a bucket and thereby save 170 liters of water, which would be wasted washing the car using a hose.

¬     Reduce the frequency you wash your car as much as possible.

¬     Take advantage of the water which drips from your air-conditioning drainage pipes to water plants, flower boxes and gardens.

Saving Water in the Garden

The garden is one of the main water “guzzlers”, and therefore, it is recommended to adopt rules for proper use of water when watering and maintaining your garden. 

Watering the Lawn

¬     Increase the intervals between watering the grass, which will also help strengthen the lawn’s roots, which will absorb the water in the best fashion.

¬     It is best to water the lawn when it starts to look dry and the color changes.

¬     Water during the early morning or at night.

¬     Cut the grass frequently.

¬     Do not fertilize often, because fertilizers increase growth.

¬     Use water timers or irrigation computers with a blue standard mark, which also contribute to the health of your plants and grass.

¬     Sprinklers should be in an upright position, when they are at an angle, the irrigation is not uniform and water is wasted.

Watering Plants

¬     It’s best to grow plants that do not require a lot of watering (perennials, for example).

¬     Water plants using drip irrigation and do not water by hand or using spray cans.

¬     Shrubs and ground covering plants should be watered using about half the amount of water needed lawns.  Flowers use about 1.5 times the amount needed for lawns.

¬     Regulate the amount of water used for watering according to the weather conditions and the needs of the particular plant.

¬     Separate the watering of the garden into groups, according to plant type and conditions required for their growth, including their water consumption.

¬     Use covers to prevent the ground from drying out and heating up and to prevent the growth of weeds in the garden (pebbles, wood shavings).

¬     Trim  trees and bushes of unnecessary foliage which wastes water.

¬     Sprinkle large amounts of compost on the ground, which significantly improves the degree the water is absorbed into the ground, prevents the water from evaporating and saves about one thirds of the amount of water used in irrigation.

In the case of a serious cutback in the use of water

Watering the Lawn

¬     The following types of grass do not need to be watered for a long period of time:  Pennisetum clandestinum, seashore paspalum, mini Bermuda.

¬     These types of grass will also show re-growth after prolonged periods of draught, after they are watered or rain falls.

¬     Irrigate using sprinklers only during the months of May to October, between the hours of 19:00 to 7:00 a.m. the next day.  Watering during the cooler hours, when there is no wind, reduces the evaporation of the water and prevents diseases in the plants.

Watering Plants:

¬     Trees, and especially young trees, must not be denied water.  These trees will constitute the high landscape of the garden, and in terms of the overall water usage, they do not use a significant amount.

¬     Watering of the plants can be reduced until you notice that the soft leaves of the plants are thirsty for water.

¬     Seasonal flowers may be dried out, and during years of more abundant water, they may be renewed by replanting.

Time Intervals for Watering Gardens in the Summer (Days)

Important!

In any case of water leaks or burst water pipes, please contact the Municipal 107 hotline, as soon as possible, so we can make immediate repairs and save water.