Drinking Water Conservation Tips

Save Water Indoors

• Fix leaky plumbing fixtures, faucets and appliances in the house.
• Show children how to turn off the faucets completely after each use.
• Locate your master water shut-off valve so that water can be saved if a pipe bursts.
• Install aerators on every faucet. This could save you as much as 1 gallon every minute you use them.
• Be aware! Listen for drips and leaks around the house (DRIP LOSS CALULATOR).

Conserve in the Bathroom

• Switch to an ultra low-flow showerhead. This could save you as much as 2.5 gallons every minute you shower.
• Take shorter showers—try to keep it under 5 minutes.
• Install ultra-low-flush toilets or place a plastic bottle filled with water or sand in your toilet tank to reduce the amount of water used in each flush.
• Put dye tablets or food coloring in your toilet tank and wait to see if the color appears in the bowl (without flushing). If it does, you have a leak!
• Check to assure that your toilet’s flapper valve doesn’t stay open after flushing.
• When taking a bath, start filling the tub with the drain already plugged instead of waiting first for the water to get warm. Adjust the temperature as the tubs begins to fill.
• Turn the faucet off while you shave, brush your teeth and lather up your hands.
• Don’t use the toilet as a garbage can. Place a trash can next to the toilet and use it instead.

Conserve in the Kitchen

• If you wash dishes by hand, fill one half of the sink with soapy water and the other with clean water instead of letting the water run.
• Place a pitcher of water in the refrigerator instead of letting the tap run to get a cool drink.
• Water your houseplants with water saved from washing your fruits and vegetables, waiting for the water to warm up, or even when you clean your fish tank!
• Select one glass to use for drinking each day. If you do this, your dishwasher will take longer to fill up and it will not need to be run as frequently.
• Thaw foods in the refrigerator or in a bowl of hot water instead of using running water.
• Let your pots and pans soak instead of letting the water run while you clean them.
• Scrape the food on your dishes into the garbage instead of using water to rinse it down the disposal.

Save Water Outdoors

• Cover pools and spas to avoid evaporation.
• Sweep your driveways and sidewalks with a broom instead of spraying them off with a hose.
• Check outdoor faucets, pipes, hoses and pools for leaks.
• Consider replacing infrequently used lawn areas with low-water use plants or ground covers.
• Recycle and reuse the water in fountains and other ornamental water fixtures.
• Avoid bursting or freezing pipes by winterizing your outdoor spigots.
• Use a bucket of soapy water to wash your car, or simply place a shut-off nozzle on the end of your hose.

Conserve in Your Landscape

• Visually inspect your sprinkler system once a month during daylight hours. Check and fix any tilted, clogged or broken heads. Although watering at night is recommended, you won’t notice problems with your system unless you see it in operation.
• Avoid watering your landscape during the hottest hours of the day (10 am until 6 pm) to minimize evaporation.
• Water your landscape in cycles by reducing the number of minutes on your timer and using multiple start times spaced one hour apart. This allows the water to soak into the soil and avoids runoff.
• Water your lawn only when it needs it. If you leave footprints on the grass, it is usually time to water.
• Turn your sprinkler system off during or after a rainstorm and leave it off until the plants need to be watered again.
• Consider installing an automatic rain shutoff device on your sprinkler system.
• Install drip irrigation systems for trees, shrubs and flowers.
• Check your sprinkler valves for leaks when checking all your heads.
• Avoid watering your lawn on windy days.
• Watch out for broken sprinklers, open hydrants, broken pipes and any other significant water losses in your community. Be sure to notify the property owner or the water district of the problem.
• Make sure the water coming out of your sprinklers is not misting and drifting away in the wind. This is usually caused by too high of pressure—if necessary, install a pressure reducer on your sprinkler line.
• Collect the runoff from your roof in a barrel and use it on your plants and garden.