Water Conservation Tips

General Use

 Monitor your water bill for unusually high use; your bill and water meter are tools that can help you discover leaks

• Read your water meter before and after a two-hour period when no water is being used; if the meter does not read exactly the same, there is a leak
• Fix those leaky pipes and faucets
  • A faucet dripping one drop per second can waste up to 2,700 gallons/year
  • Install water conserving appliances
  • Upgrade and insulate your water heater
  • Install water-saving aerators on all of your faucets
  • Never put water down the drain when there may be another use for it such as watering a plant or garden, or cleaning

 In the Kitchen

• Soak pots and pans instead of letting the water run while you scrape them clean
• Use the garbage disposal sparingly. Instead, compost vegetable food waste and save gallons every time
• Wash your fruits and vegetables in a pan of water instead of running water from the tap
• Install an instant water heater near your kitchen sink so you don’t have to run the water until it heats up
• Running your dishwasher only when it’s full can save up to 400 gallons/ month
• Handwashing dishes (sink and soaking) often uses less water than a dishwasher
• Compost vegetable waste rather than running it through the garbage disposal with water
• Do not use running water to thaw meat or other frozen foods; defrost food overnight in the refrigerator or by using the defrost setting on your microwave

In the Laundry

• When shopping for a new washing machine, can Energy Star model can save up to 20 gallons of water per load
• When buying a washer, check the Consortium for Energy Efficiency website to compare water use between models
• Use your clothes washer for only full loads or adjust the water level for smaller loads if your machine has that option
• Skip the extra rinse cycle
• Reuse towels rather than washing after only 1 or 2 uses

In the Bathroom

• Shorten your shower by a minute or two and you’ll save up to 150 gallons/month
• Turn off the shower while you soap and scrub and you’ll save up to 150 gallons/week
• A low flow shower head can save over 500 gallons/week
• Test your toilet for leaks (which can be silent); put food coloring in the tank and if it seeps into the bowl without flushing, there’s a leak
• Upgrade older toilets with water-saving WaterSense labeled models; toilets can account for up to 30% of a home’s indoor water use
• Consider buying a low flow or dual-flush toilet
• Avoid flushing the toilet unnecessarily; dispose of tissues, insects and other waste in the trash rather than the toilet
• Turn off the water while you brush your teeth and save up to 4 gallons/ minute- which is 200 gallons/week for a family of four
• Plug the sink instead of running the water to rinse your razor and save up to 300 gallons/month
• When washing your hands, turn the water off while you lather

In the Garden/Outdoors

• Hire a qualified pro to install your irrigation system and keep it working properly and efficiently
• Only put water where it is needed (i.e., not the sidewalks)
• Drip irrigation and soaker hoses are examples of water-efficient methods of irrigation
• Add a rain shut-off devise to your irrigation system
• Water at the right time (late evening, night, early morning) to avoid loss by evaporation
• Mulch garden beds to retain moisture in the soil; mulch also helps control weeds
• Plant native and/or drought-tolerant grasses, ground covers, shrubs and trees
• Group plants together based on similar water needs
• While fertilizers promote plant growth, they also increase water consumption so apply the minimum amount of fertilizer needed
• Adjust your mower to a higher setting; taller grass shades roots and holds soil moisture better than short grass
• Reduce your lawn area and replace with low water ground covers
• Use covers on pools and spas
• Make sure your swimming pools, fountains and ponds are equipped with recirculating pumps and water saving filters
• If you have an automatic refilling device, check your pool periodically for leaks
• When you give your pet fresh water, don’t throw the old water down the drain; use it to water your trees or shrubs or houseplants
• Use a broom instead of a hose to clean patios, sidewalks and driveways
• Use porous paving
• Redirect downspouts and collect rainwater