Saving Water Indoors

Never pour water down the drain when there may be another use for it such as watering plants or cleaning.

Check for hidden water leaks.Check your water meter when you are certain that no water is being used.If the meter read changes, you may have a leak. (See “How to Perform a Leak Test”)

Repair dripping faucets by replacing washers.Those gallons really add up!

Replace old, high volume showerheads with an ultra-low flow (ULF) version.New styles allow for sufficient water, you won’t even notice the difference!

Replace faucet aerators and save 4 gallons per minute.

Replace toilets put into use prior to 1995 with an ultra low-flow toilet.Old toilets use between 5 to 7 gallons per flush while ULF toilets are 1.6 gallons or less.

Do not use running water to thaw meat or other frozen foods.

Don’t let water run while brushing your teeth, washing your face, or shaving.

Operate automatic dishwashers and clothes washers only when fully loaded or set the water level for the size you are using.

Never use the toilet for a trash can.Dispose of tissues, insects, and other such waste in the trash.

Saving Water Outdoors

Don’t overwater your lawn. Lawns only need watering every 5 to 7 days in the summer, and every 10 to 14 days in the winter. A heavy rain eliminates the need for watering up to two weeks. Try the tuna can test, place a tuna can on your lawn while watering, when the tuna can is full, you have watered the right amount.

Xeriscape is water conservation through creative landscaping, using the right plant in the right place.

Water lawns during the early morning hours when temperatures and wind speed are the lowest, this reduces evaporation and waste.

Recycle rain water by using a rain barrel. Rain barrels are a great way to capture water from your roof gutters to be used to water your plants and lawn.

Use a broom or blower instead of a hose to clean leaves and other debris from your driveway or sidewalk.

Use a shut off nozzle on your hose so that water flows only as needed. When finished, turn it off at the faucet instead of at the nozzle to avoid leaks.

Consider using a commercial car wash that recycles water. If you wash your own car, park on the grass and use a hose with an automatic shut-off nozzle.