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Saving Water Indoors In the bathroom -
Install a low-flow shower head. This is the most effective water conservation measure you can take. A standard shower head uses 5-7 gallons of water per minute; an inexpensive "low flow" shower head reduces water use 50% or more and may reduce the flow to just 3 gallons a minute! -
Repair leaky faucets and shower heads. Dripping, trickling or oozing faucets and shower heads can waste from 75 to several hundred gallons of water a week depending on the size of the drip. Worn-out washers are the main cause of these leaks -- and they cost about 25 cents to replace. Washers are pretty simple to install; a book from the local library will show you how. -
Take shorter showers. You’ll save 5-7 gallons for each minute saved! Turn the water on to get wet; turn it off while you lather up. Turn back on to rinse off. -
Close your tub drain before turning on the water. Save 3 gallons or more. -
Don’t keep water running while shaving or brushing your teeth. -
Don’t flush the toilet unnecessarily. Dispose of tissues and other similar trash in the trash can. -
Install a plastic bottle or dam in every toilet tank. The average toilet uses 5-7 gallons per flush! A dam can reduce that amount. Also, water displacement devices placed in the tank many save many gallons a day. (Do not use bricks because they may disintegrate.) -
Check toilets for leaks. To check toilets, put a few drops of food coloring in the tank. Do not flush. If the color appears in the toilet bowl, there is a leak. Have leaks repaired immediately. Your flapper, flush valve or valve Seat may need to be cleaned or replaced. Parts are inexpensive and fairly simple to install. In the kitchen/laundry room -
Check and repair leaky water pipes. Check under all sinks, behind your washing machine and in the basement for suspicious looking wet areas. These leaks not only waste water, they could be damaging your cabinetry, walls, floors or ceilings. Pipe repairs are best left up to your plumber. If necessary, ask your plumber, local hardware store or plumbing supply center for repair assistance -- and for advice on efficient, affordable water-saving fixtures. -
Insulate hot water pipes. Water is wasted if you turn on hot water tap and wait for hot water to come up. To reduce waste, wrap hot water pipes with insulating material. -
Don’t let the water run while you do dishes. Fill both sinks – one with suds to wash and the other with clean water to rinse. If you only have one sink, wash the dish, then turn on the water only to rinse. -
Operate dishwashers and clothes washers only when full. Set the water level of the washer for the size of the load. -
Store drinking water in the refrigerator – help eliminate running the facet unnecessarily. -
Use ice cubes to cool water. - Make only the amount of coffee or tea you are going to drink.
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Install faucet aerators. Aerators will cut water use by as much as 280 gallons per month for a family of four. By attaching an inexpensive low flow faucet aerator, you may reduce the flow by 50 percent! -
Wash vegetables and fruit in a basin. Use a vegetable brush to remove dirt. Save 2-4 gallons per day. -
Defrost without water. Plan ahead to thaw frozen foods and ice trays in the air when possible, if necessary to force-thaw food. -
Handwash efficiently. Scrape dishes with paper napkins from meal. Rinse all at once. Soak pots and pans overnight if very dirty. Cut down on cleanup by serving more single dish meals. -
Run your garbage disposal only when necessary. Save 2-7 gallons per minute. Use the garbage can more. Start a compost pile. -
Be efficient when washing laundry by hand. Soak well with smallest possible quantity of low-sudsing detergent. Save rinse water for next wash. Just add soap. Presoak very dirty items overnight.
Saving Water Outdoors In the yard -
Water your lawn (and other landscaping) in early morning or evening to avoid excessive evaporation which occurs in the hot sun. -
Be sure sprinklers water only your lawn, not the pavement. -
Never water on a windy, rainy or very hot day. -
Plant less grass. Shrubs and ground cover require less maintenance, less water and provide year-round greenery. -
Water shrubs and gardens using a slow trickle around the roots. A slow soaking encourages deep root growth, reduces leaf bum or mildew and prevents water loss. -
Practice water-saving horticulture. Select hardy species that don't need as much water. Try native plants. -
Raise the blade on your mower to at least three inches; closely clipped grass requires more water. -
Use a broom (never a hose) to clean off sidewalks or driveways. -
Place a layer of mulch around trees and plants so more water will be retained. -
Be sure your hose has a shut-off nozzle. Hoses without a nozzle can spout 5 gallons or more per minute. -
Visit a commercial car wash which recycles water. Or, if you wash your car at home, park in the grass and use a bucket. -
Wash other items, like bicycles or trash cans, on the lawn to give your grass an extra drink. Backyard pools Cover your pool or spa to cut back on evaporation; shut off your pond fountain. -
Don't fill pool too high--water splashes easily. -
Recycle wading pool water for plants, shrubs, lawns.
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