Homeowners can significantly reduce the volume of wastewater discharged to home septic systems and sewage treatment plants by conserving water.

If you have a septic tank system, by decreasing your water usage, you can help prevent your system from overloading and contaminating groundwater and surface water.

Seventy-five percent of drainage failures are due to hydraulic overloading. The following are helpful water conservation tips:

• Use low-flow faucets, shower heads, reduced flow toilet flushing equipment and water saving models of appliances such as dish and clothes washers.

• Repair leaking faucets, toilets and pumps.

• Use dish and clothes washers only when fully loaded.

• Take short showers instead of baths.

• Wash your car only when necessary; use a bucket to save water. Alternatively, go to a commercial car wash that uses water efficiently and disposes of runoff properly.

• Do not overwater your lawn or garden. Doing so may increase leaching of fertilizers into groundwater.

• Use slow watering techniques such as trickle irrigation or soaker hose systems. They reduce runoff and are 20 percent more effective than sprinklers.

Ron Fodor is manager of the Butler County Conservation District.