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Water Conservation Tips

In the Kitchen

  • Run dishwashers and washing machines with full loads only.
  • Scrape your plates instead of rinsing before loading them into the dishwasher.
  • When washing dishes by hand, fill the sink with soap and water instead of running the tap. Fill another basin with clean water for rinsing.
  • Keep a container of drinking water in the refrigerator, instead of running the tap until the water is cool.
  • Don’t let the faucet run while cleaning vegetables. Instead, rinse them in a sink or bowl filled with clean water.
  • Thaw frozen foods ahead of time in sitting water or in the air rather than under running water.
  • Add food wastes to your compost pile instead of using the garbage disposal.

In the Bathroom

  • Repair all leaks and drips.
  • Consider replacing your toilet flapper every 3-5 years, as they are prone to warping and leaking.
  • Install low flow showerheads and faucet aerators (2.5 gallons per minute or lower).
  • Limit shower time to five minutes.
  • Keep tub bathing to a minimum, and instead, take quick showers.
  • Do not leave the water running while brushing your teeth or shaving. 
  • Install a High Efficiency Toilet (HET) or put a toilet displacement device like a water-filled half-gallon container in your tank.
  • Do not use the toilet as a waste basket or ashtray.
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Outside

  • Use a broom to clear debris from walkways and driveways instead of hosing them down with water.
  • Water your lawn only when it needs it, and only before 10:00 a.m. or after 6 p.m. One inch of water per week is sufficient to keep your lawn and plants healthy.
  • Make sure that sprinklers are watering only the landscape, not the driveway, sidewalk, or street. Do not water on windy days. If you see water running off of your landscape into the street or sidewalk this may mean that your sprinklers are not properly aligned, that you are applying too much water too quickly, or that your soil is already saturated with water.
  • Plant drought tolerant and/or native trees and plants. Use mulch to help retain moisture.
  • When washing a car, use soap and water from a bucket. Use a hose with a shut-off nozzle for the final rinse only.
  • If you have a pool, use a cover to cut down evaporation. This will also keep your pool cleaner and reduce the need to add chemicals.
  • Set lawn mower blades one notch higher since longer grass reduces evaporation. Leave grass clippings on your grass, this cools the ground and holds in moisture.