Water Conservation Tips
Inside the Home
Bathroom
Check your toilet for leaks by adding food coloring to the tank. If the toilet is leaking, color will appear within 30 minutes. Check the toilet for worn out, corroded or bent parts. Most replacement parts are inexpensive, readily available and easily installed. (Flush as soon as test is done, since food coloring may stain tank.)
Consider installing a high efficiency toilet
Don't use your toilet as awaste basket.
If the toilet flush handle frequently sticks in the flush position, letting water run constantly, replace or adjust it.
If your shower fills a one-gallon bucket in less than 20 seconds, replace the showerhead with a water-efficient model
If your toilet was installed before 1992, reduce the amount of water used for each flush by inserting a displacement device in the tank.
Install a faucet aerator on your bathroom sink
Insulate your water pipes. You'll get hot water faster plus avoid wasting water while it heats up.
Repair dripping faucets by replacing washers
Replace you showerhead with an ultra-low-flow version.
Shorten your shower by a minute or two and you'll save up to 150 gallons per month.
Turn faucetoff when brushing teeth, shaving
Turn off the water while you wash your hair to save up to 150 gallons a month
Use the minimum amount of water needed for a bath by closing the drain first and filling the tub only 1/3 full.
Kitchen
Consider buying a high efficiency dishwasher that will save water and energy.
Consider installing an instant water heater on your kitchen sink so you don't have to let the water run while it heats up.
Designate one glass for your drinking water each day or refill a water bottle. This will cut down on the number of glasses to wash.
Do not use running water to thaw meat or other frozen foods
Install a faucet aerator on your kitchen sink
Insulate your water pipes. You'll get hot water faster plus avoid wasting water while it heats up.
Keep a jug of chilled water in the refrigerator for drinking to avoid running the water
Kitchen sink disposals require lots of water to operate properly. Start a compost pile as an alternate method of disposing food waste instead of using a garbage disposal
Repair dripping faucets by replacing washers until it gets cold.
Rinse dishes, vegetables and fruits in a filled basin, rather than under running water.
Soak pots and pans instead of letting the water run while you scrape them clean.
Wash only full loads in the dishwasher. Use the "light wash" setting when possible.
Water your plants with left-over rinse water. (Plants also love fish tank water!)
When washing dishes by hand, fill one sink or basin with soapy water. Quickly rinse under a slow-moving stream from the faucet.
Laundry
Consider buying a high efficiency washing machine that will save water and energy.
Hand wash single garments.
Install water softening systems only when necessary.
Wash only full loads of clothing.
Washing dark clothes in cold water saves both on water and energy while it helps your clothes to keep their colors.
Other
For hanging baskets, planters and pots, place ice cubes under the moss or dirt to give your plants a cool drink of water and help eliminate water overflow.
If you accidentally drop ice cubes when filling your glass from the freezer, don't throw them in the sink. Drop them in a house plant instead
When cleaning out fish tanks, give the nutrient-rich water to your plants.
Know where your master water shut-off valve is located. This could save water and prevent damage to your home.
Report broken pipes, open hydrants and errant sprinklers to the property owner or your water provider.
Teach your children to turn off faucets tightly after each use.
Wash your pets outdoors in an area of your lawn that needs water.
Outside the Home
Aerate your lawn at least once a year so water can reach the roots rather than run off the surface.
Avoid over fertilizing your lawn. The application of fertilizers increases the need for water. Apply fertilizers which contain slow-release, water-insoluble forms of nitrogen.
Avoid recreational water toys that require a constant flow of water.
Avoid the installation of ornamental water features (such as fountains) unless the water is recycled. Locate where there are mineral losses due to evaporation and wind drift.
Check all hoses, connectors and spigots regularly.
Check the root zone of your lawn or garden for moisture before watering using a spade or trowel. If it's still moist two inches under the soil surface, you still have enough water.
Choose shrubs and groundcovers instead of turf for hard-to-water areas such as steep slopes and isolated strips.
Collect water from your roof to water your garden.
Consider using a commercial car wash that recycles water. If you wash your own car, park on the grass to do so.
Consult with your local nursery for information on plant selection and placement for optimum outdoor water savings.
Direct water from rain gutters and HVAC systems toward water-loving plants in the landscape for automatic water savings.
Do not hose down your driveway or sidewalk. Use a broom to clean leaves and other debris from these areas. Using a hose to clean a driveway can waste hundreds of gallons of water.
Do not leave sprinklers or hoses unattended. Your garden hoses can pour out 600 gallons or more in only a few hours, so don't leave the sprinkler running all day. Use a kitchen timer to remind yourself to turn it off.
Don't over water your lawn.
Don't water your lawn on windy days when most of the water blows away or evaporates.
Don't water your street, driveway or sidewalk. Position your sprinklers so that your water lands on the lawn and shrubs ... not the paved areas.
Group plans together based on similar water needs.
Group plants with the same watering needs together to avoid overwatering some while underwatering others.
If water runs off your lawn easily, split your watering time into shorter periods to allow for better absorption.
If you have a swimming pool, consider a new water-saving pool filter. A single back flushing with a traditional filter uses from l80 to 250 gallons or more of water.
Install covers on pools and spas and check for leaks around your pumps.
Install sprinklers that are the most water-efficient for each use.
Leave lower branches on trees and shrubs and allow leaf litter to accumulate on the soil. This keeps the soil cooler and reduces evaporation
Let your lawn go dormant during the summer. Dormant grass only needs to be watered every three weeks or less if it rains.
Micro and drip irrigation and soaker hoses are examples of water-efficient methods of irrigation.
Monitor your water bill for unusually high use. Your bill and water meter are tools that can help you discover leaks.
Mulch to retain moisture in the soil. Mulching also helps to control weeds that compete with plants for water.
Outfit your hose with a shut-off nozzle which can be adjusted down to fine spray so that water flows only as needed. When finished, "Turn it Off" at the faucet instead of at the nozzle to avoid leaks.
Plant in the fall when conditions are cooler and rainfall is more plentiful.
Plant native and/or drought-tolerant grasses, ground covers, shrubs and trees. Once established, they do not need to be watered as frequently and they usually will survive a dry period without any watering.
Raise the lawn mower blade to at least three inches. A lawn cut higher encourages grass roots to grow deeper, shades the root system and holds soil moisture better than a closely-clipped lawn.
Reduce the amount of lawn in your yard by planting shrubs and ground covers appropriate to your site and region.
Regularly check sprinkler systems and timing devices to be sure they are operating properly.
To decrease water from being wasted on sloping lawns, apply water for five minutes and then repeat two to three times.
Trickling or cascading fountains lose less water to evaporation than those spraying water into the air.
Use a grease pencil to mark the water level of your pool at the skimmer. Check the mark 24 hours later to see if you have a leak.
Use a rain gauge, or empty tuna can, to track rainfall on your lawn. Then reduce your watering accordingly.
Use hose washers between spigots and water hoses to eliminate leaks.
Water lawns during the early morning hours when temperatures and wind speed are the lowest.
When the kids want to cool off, use the sprinkler in an area where your lawn needs it the most
Winterize outdoor spigots when temperatures dip below freezing to prevent pipes from leaking or bursting.