Rockbridge resident Judy Timmons is always trying to find new ways to save water at home and in her community. Timmons grew up in a family where "waste not, want not" was the rule. She became even more conscious of conservation when she married and had children.

Today, as a member of the Gill Creek Watershed Association, Timmons models water resource management at home while working as an advocate to improve, restore, and protect the watershed in which she lives.

On the home front, the Timmons household employs the following water conservation measures devotedly: • Water saver shower heads are installed. • Kitchen and bathroom sink faucets have aerators. • Navy showers are taken at home and when traveling. • Washers are inspected and changed regularly. • Teflon tape is placed on faucets where hoses are attached to reduce leaks. • Dishwasher is filled with dishes before using. • Washing machine is only used with full loads. • Faucet is off while brushing teeth. • Rather than run the faucets to get a cool drink, water is chilled in the refrigerator. Successful gardens demand water and Timmons' garden benefits greatly from her water conservation methods. She saves all of her kitchen sink water from dishes and hand washing in gallon jugs or plastic bowls for watering window boxes and container plants.

Judy Timmons waters her window boxes with dishwater and handwashing water. Rain diverters on the roof above doorways spill rainwater directly into five gallon buckets furnishing more water for container plants. Soon she will install rain barrels to replace the buckets. Roofs shed an enormous amount of usable water.

Timmons mulches all beds with leaves to retain soil moisture. Soaker hoses placed under shrubbery and perennial beds get water directly to plant roots with minimum evaporation.

Lawns can consume copious amounts of water. Timmons recommends washing the car on the lawn rather than in the driveway to reduce storm water runoff and at the same time water the lawn. She also notes that over fertilizing lawns creates a need for more water. Sprinklers should be turned off in the rain.

Teflon tape on faucets reduces water loss from leaks. To participate in protecting your watershed, visit www.gillscreekwatershed. com.

Some water conservation resources are www.makeconservationcount. org, www.americanwater. com, and www.eere. energy.gov/consumer/ tips/.