Water conservation is important because fresh clean water is a limited and costly resource. The majority of household water usage comes from toilets, washing machines, showers/baths, faucets and leaks.
As a homeowner, you may already be aware of the financial impact of inefficient water use. By following these tips, you can not only help save the environment, but you might also save some money
Toilets
- Upgrade to a WaterSense-labeled toilet.
- Do not use your toilet as a trash can – it’s only made for one type of waste.
- Check your toilets regularly for leaks.
Shower and Bath
- Take short showers instead of baths. It takes more than 78 gallons of water to fill a bathtub.
- If you do choose to take a bath, stop the drain first and adjust the temperature as the tub fills.
- Replace your shower head with a water-efficient model.
Taps
Kitchen and Laundry
- Use just one glass or water bottle each day.
- Run washing machines and dishwashers only when they are full.
- Upgrade to high-efficiency Energy Star appliances that offer cycle and load size adjustments.
Lawn and Garden
- Mulch around your plants.
- Use plants that are native to your area and climate.
- Install a rain barrel to capture runoff for use in landscape watering.
- Adjust sprinklers so that water does not end up on the pavement.
- Water landscaping in the morning or evening.
- Adjust your lawn mower blades to at least 3 inches.
- Do not over-fertilize.