Summer is fast approaching and with it comes the hottest months of the year, along with the increase in water consumption in homes and business establishments.

Anyone with a garden knows that not only humans need a lot of water in the hottest months, but also plants. With the increase in water consumption will also come the increase in your monthly water bills.

Fortunately, there are many ways to reduce your water bill and reduce water consumption during the summer.

The best thing is that these ways are inexpensive and only require a little attention on your part. The top three ways to save water during the summer are:

#1 Watering the Garden at the Right Time

Any moisture will evaporate very quickly under the sun during the summer, so the key is to water the plants at the right time. The most optimal time to water the plants is in the morning.

Do not water the plants during the middle of the day or windy days as the water will most likely evaporate before the roots and leaves absorb them. The soil only needs around an inch and a half of water to keep the plants healthy and growing.

#2 Keep a Rain Collector

Having a container to keep rainwater in will decrease your consumption from the water line.  Some people install rain barrels for the sole purpose of watering their gardens.

Collecting rainwater is a cost-effective and environmentally friendly way to care for your garden during the summer months.  The one thing to remember, however, is to keep the container covered, especially in areas where mosquitoes thrive as they could be potential breeding grounds for the insects.

These containers also do not require much maintenance and could be cleaned as soon as the water collected in them is used up.

#3 Do the Leaking Toilet Test

A toilet could secretly be leaking without the homeowner knowing about it. The best way to find out if the toilet is leaking is to add a few drops of food coloring into the tank.

If the color seeps into the bowl, then it’s a sign that the toilet tank is leaking and you are wasting so many gallons of water a day. Your plumber could quickly fix this.  You can also reduce the amount of water in your tank by using a displacement weight.

Water is an essential natural resource that should be conserved.  Especially in the summer months, it is encouraged that everyone be wiser in their use of water.