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Gather two recent water bills and use the calculator to see if you have reduced your water use. According to Mass DEP, the maximum recommended water use is 65 gallons per person per day. Summer is the true test - water usage tends to double in the summer. How low can you go? Are you below 65 gals? Can you save 5 more gallons per person per day? Days in Bill Cycle Can you reduce your daily water use? How much water do you use? Can you reduce your daily water use? How much water do you use? Total Gallons Consumed Bill 1 # People in Household GALLONS PER PERSON PER DAY Bill 2 Watering 1 inch of water on a 1 acre area consumes 26,000 gals -which is more than a standard size pool. Using the calculator: Subtract the Gal/Person/Day of Bill 2 from Bill 1 to see if you were able to save water. Note: If your water bill is in cubic feet (CF), multiply your consumption by 7.48 to convert CF to Gallons and then make the same calculation described above. If your consumption is in hundreds of cubic feet (CCF), multiply it by 748 before calculating. Water Use Reduction ---PAGE BREAK--- Conserving Water is a Goal Conserving Water is a Goal In order to have enough water for people, public safety and to keep rivers running for the creatures that live there, we must consume less water! Summer water consumption can double due to lawn irrigation! Here are some cost-effective ways to reduce water use, especially in the summer. Collect rainwater in a rain barrel to reuse on a sunny day - you can fill a 55 gallon barrel in just one storm. Water only when necessary as determined by the Walk Test* and only if a watering ban is not in effect. Only water your lawn at dawn, before the hot sun will increase the rate of evaporation. Plant drought tolerant, low maintenance native plants. Use only organic lawn products - they improve the health of your soil and allow water to percolate more easily into the soil. Organic products do not wash away as easily as products. * The Walk Test: Take a stroll through your lawn. If you can see your compressed footprints after a few minutes, your lawn is thirsty. If the grass is able to quickly bounce back, then it does not need any water!