How to Conserve

Ways You Can Conserve Water

In The Bathroom

1. Install low consumption (1.6 gal/flush) toilets. This can save up to 14,000 gallons of water per year.
2. Turn off the faucet while brushing your teeth or shaving.
3. Install a low-flow showerhead.
4. Take showers instead of baths.
5. Turn off the shower while soaping or shampooing.

In The Kitchen And Laundry Room

1. Run only full loads in the dishwasher and washing machines.
2. Use a dishpan or plug the sink for washing and rinsing dishes.
3. Install a low-flow aerator on all faucets.
4. Do not pre-rinse dishes before loading in the dishwasher.
5. Refrigerate a bottle of drinking water instead of letting the faucet flow until the water is cold enough to drink.
6. Use the proper load-size selection on the washing machine.
7. Instead of running water over fruits and vegetables to clean them, fill a bowl of water and use a brush.
8. If you are in the market for a new washing machine, consider a front loader. Front loaders use less water and are more   energy efficient.

Lawn, Garden And Outdoors

1. Water during the morning or in the evening to prevent evaporation during the heat of the day.
2. Install a rain barrel and use the recycled water to water your garden and wash your car.
3. Plant native plants in your garden and around your yard. They require less water than non-native plants.
4. Avoid watering the lawn on windy days.
5. Use soaker hoses and trickle irrigation systems.
6. Mulch around shrubs and garden plants to reduce evaporation.
7. Plant drought-resistant plants.
8. Use a broom, not a hose, to clean driveways, steps and sidewalks.
9. Wash the car using a filled bucket.
10. Make sure your hose has an automatic shut-off nozzle or one that can be adjusted to a fine spray.
11. Cover swimming pools to slow down the evaporation of water. This can reduce water loss by 30%.
12. Repair any swimming pool leaks.
13. Manually clean your pool filter. The average backwash uses between 250 and 1,000 gallons of water.

In The Community

1. Encourage the use of water conservation devices by large water-using facilities.
2. Report any faucet leaks.
3. Reduce the load on air conditioning units by shutting off air conditioning when and where it is not required.
4. Minimize the water used in cooling equipment in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations.
5. Wash your car at a commercial car wash that recycles its water.