Drought

Bathroom

• Avoid flushing the toilet unnecessarily. Dispose of tissues, insects, and other similar waste in the trash rather than the toilet.
• Avoid taking baths—take short showers—turn on water only to get wet and lather and then again to rinse off.
• Avoid letting the water run while brushing your teeth, washing your face or shaving.
• Place a bucket in the shower to catch excess water for watering plants.

Kitchen

• Operate automatic dishwashers only when they are fully loaded. Use the “light wash” feature, if available, to use less water.
• Hand wash dishes by filling two containers—one with soapy water and the other with rinse water containing a small amount of chlorine bleach.
• Clean vegetables in a pan filled with water rather than running water from the tap.
• Store drinking water in the refrigerator. Do not let the tap run while you are waiting for water to cool.
• Avoid wasting water waiting for it to get hot. Capture it for other uses such as plant watering or heat it on the stove or in a microwave.
• Avoid rinsing dishes before placing them in the dishwasher; just remove large particles of food. (Most dishwashers can clean soiled dishes very well, so dishes do not have to be rinsed before washing)
• Avoid using running water to thaw meat or other frozen foods. Defrost food overnight in the refrigerator or use the defrost setting on your microwave oven.

Laundry

• Operate automatic clothes washers only when they are fully loaded or set the water level for the size of your load.

Car Washing

• Use a commercial car wash that recycles water.
• If you wash your own car, use a shut-off nozzle that can be adjusted down to a fine spray on your hose.

Lawn Care

• Avoid over watering your lawn and water only when needed:
• A heavy rain eliminates the need for watering for up to two weeks. Most of the year, lawns only need one inch of water per week.
• Check the soil moisture levels with a soil probe, spade or large screwdriver. You don’t need to water if the soil is still moist. If your grass springs back when you step on it, it doesn’t need water yet.
• If your lawn does require watering, do so early in the morning or later in the evening, when temperatures are cooler.
• Check your sprinkler system frequently and adjust sprinklers so only your lawn is watered and not the house, sidewalk, or street.
• Water in several short sessions rather than one long one, in order for your lawn to better absorb moisture and avoid runoff.
• Use a broom or blower instead of a hose to clean leaves and other debris from your driveway or sidewalk.
• Avoid leaving sprinklers or hoses unattended. A garden hose can pour out 600 gallons or more in only a few hours.
• In extreme drought, allow lawns to die in favor of preserving trees and large shrubs.

Always observe state and local restrictions on water use during a drought. If restricted, for example, do not water your lawn, wash your car, or other non-essential uses, to help ensure there is enough water for essential uses. Contact your state or local government for current information and suggestions.

Protecting Children’s Environmental Health–  resources for protecting children’s health in a variety of settings provided by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Drought Management Revised -Video from Cornell Small Farms Program and CCE Chenango County that offers strategies for periods with little or no rain when grass and forages are in short supply (2013)

Livestock Drought Concerns (PDF) – Tips from CCE Delaware County and the Watershed Agriculture Program for watering livestock during drought, what to do if the main water source dries up, and other concerns (2012)

Drought Resources – United States Department of Agriculture, National Resource Conservation Service (NCRS) technical and financial resources for coping with the impacts of drought on agricultural lands

Fall Feeding Decision Tools – Tools compiled by the CCE Northwest NY Dairy, Livestock and Field Crops program for making decisions about feeding livestock under drought conditions (2016)

Resources for Forage Management in a Drought Situation (PDF) – agronomic and feeding considerations, safety, and planning tools (2016)

Beef Cattle Management Blog – a blog by Nancy Glazier – Small Farms/Livestock Specialist, Cornell Cooperative Extension, NWNY Team that includes up-to-date information during drought conditions

20 Ways to Save Water (PDF)  – Ways to conserve water by modifying your everyday living habits (Penn State University, 2008).

Preparing for a Water Emergency (PDF)  A tool for food processors, food manufacturers, and other large-volume water users to be better prepared for water shortage and contamination emergencies (Penn State University, 2011).

Water-Saving Devices for Your Home – Using faucet aerators, low flow showerheads, and toilet dams can reduce your home water use (University of Florida Extension).

Rx for Dry Landscapes: Water Trees & Shrubs, Not the Lawn – Watering advice from Cornell Horticulture (2016).

Conserve Water with Xeriscape Landscaping (PDF) – Design considerations, mulches, irrigation systems, and includes a list of drought-tolerant plants for your garden (CCE Nassau County, 2009).

Gardening under Drought Conditions (PDF) – Recycling and conserving water, ways to minimize water evaporation in the garden, and other gardening practices for drought conditions (CCE Dutchess and Rockland Counties, 2004).

Water Wise Gardening (PDF)  – Efficient watering times and methods, choosing drought-tolerant plant varieties, water needs of lawns, trees & shrubs, and other tips (CCE Rockland County, 2009).

Water Wise Lawns (PDF) – Watering for new and established lawns, supplemental irrigation, and other suggested practices (CCE Rockland County, 2009).

Coping with Drought-Affected Private Water Supply Wells (PDF) (Iowa State University Extension, 2013).

Using Low-Yielding Wells – This page from Penn State University Cooperative Extension discusses well yield, peak demand, how to reduce peak water use, increasing water storage, and pump and well capacity (2015).