If you have younger kids, filling up a baby pool or turning on the sprinkler can be a fun way to spend time outdoors while keeping kids cool. However, these activities can lead to a lot of excess water usage over the summer so follow these tips to stay eco-friendly and water-conscious:

 

  1. 1.  If you need to water your lawn regularly, do it when kids want to go out and play in the sprinkler so you’re not wasting water or over-irrigating. Limit the amount of time you run the sprinkler and move it around the yard so all areas are properly irrigated. Also, check any restrictions your town may have on what time of day you’re permitted to water your lawn.

 

  1. 2.  You can also invest in water-efficient rotary nozzles for your sprinklers. They break up the water into multi-trajectory, rotating streams that spray water more slowly and uniformly, using 20 percent less water, yet irrigating more effectively. They are also more resistant to wind, and some are made from recycled materials. Certain water providers even offer rebates for purchasing these water-conserving nozzles.

 

  1. 3.  Since baby pools don’t have filters and don’t use chemically treated water, they need to be emptied and refilled every few days to stay clean. Make sure your baby pool is small enough that it won’t require much water to be enjoyed. When it’s time to empty it, pour the water onto plants that need it.

 

  1. 4.  In addition to saving water, a good way to save energy is by turning down the AC when you and your family are playing outdoors or spending time in the pool. You may be out by the pool for several hours every day or on weekends, which means you can save on your electric bill.