Shower: Short showers save water

To be a water saver, install a low-flow showerhead and keep showers under five minutes. Turn off the water to soap up.

Toilet: Flush only when necessary

Avoid using the toilet for a wastebasket. Every flush you eliminate can save between two and seven gallons of water. Install a water-efficient toilet.

Toilet: Test your toilet

Leaks waste water. Add several drops of food coloring to the toilet tank. If it’s leaking, the coloring will appear in the toilet without flushing.

Toilet: Reduce water use

If you don’t have a low-flow toilet, use plastic bottles filled with water and pebbles to displace water in the tank. Don’t obstruct float. Don’t use bricks.

Bathroom Sink: Brush teeth efficiently

Don’t let the water run while you brush your teeth or shave. Turn the faucet on briefly to rinse. An electric razor saves the most.

Bathtub: Conserve water

Filling the tub uses about 50 gallons of water. Try bathing in just 10 gallons. Plug the tub when you shower; how full does the tub get?

Bathtub: Don’t waste clean water

Plug the bathtub and start the hot water; wait to add cold water until the water in the tub has reached the right temperature. When you’ve finished bathing, use the bath water to clean the tub.

Kitchen: Prepare food efficiently

Speed cleaning food by using a vegetable brush. Spray water in short bursts. Faucet aerators cut consumption.

Kitchen: Defrost sensibly

Plan ahead to defrost foods overnight in the refrigerator. Don’t use running water. Use the microwave or put wrapped food in a bowl of cold water.

Dishwasher: Reduce dishwashing

Use a rubber spatula to scrape dishes clean to limit pre-rinse. Let really dirty pans or dishes soak to speed washing.

Dishwasher: Use fewer dishes

Limit dishwasher use to full loads. Minimize detergent use. Prepare food with an eye to reducing dishwashing.

Water Heater: Use hot water efficiently

Letting water run from the faucet until it heats up is a waste. Instead of sending it down the drain, capture clean water for other uses. Insulate hot water pipes to save energy.

Car Wash: Wash cars efficiently

Choose a car wash that recycles water. At home, use a shut-off nozzle and wash your car in small sections. Direct runoff to water landscaping.

Landscaping: Water yards wisely

Landscaping benefits most from slow, thorough, infrequent watering. Minimize evaporation by watering in early morning or evening. Aerate lawns. Install drip irrigation and automatic timers.

Landscaping: Mulch to retain water

Plant hardy, water saving plants, trees, and shrubs, particularly native species. Mow less frequently in dry times. Limit lawn by using gravel or bark.

Pools, Spas: Cover pool or spa

Cover pools and spas to reduce evaporation. Avoid overflows and splashes by reducing water levels. Water landscape with wading pool water.

Drinking Water: Conserve when dining out

At restaurants, request only the drinking water you need. At work, fill your durable cup at the water fountain to reduce waste.

Drinking Water: Use ice to cool water

Cool drinking water in refrigerator or with ice, not by running tap. Use leftover drinking water for pets or to water plants.

Garbage Disposal: Find a better way

Avoid using garbage disposals. Compost or feed leftovers to pets when possible. Use recycled water in disposal.

Washing Machine: Wash clothes wisely

Match washer’s load selector to your load size. Try to wash only full loads. Minimize detergent use. Save energy by using cold water to wash.

Washing Machine: Save water and energy

Buying a new washing machine? Choose wisely. Find the one that conserves water and energy and has a suds-saver attachment.

Sink: Use low-suds detergent

Washing clothes by hand can be easier and save water if you use only a small amount of low-suds detergent and presoak really dirty items.

Faucets: Stop leaks

Twice a year, check all faucets inside and outside for leaks. Replace worn-out fixtures, washers, O-rings, and hose connections. Turn faucets off firmly.

Cleaning House: Conserve when cleaning

For heavy cleaning, use water you’ve saved from other household uses and then a clean rinse. Limit soaps and cleaning agents.

Conserve Water – The Water Cycle