Water Conservation Tips

Inside The Home Conservation Tips
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Outside The Home Conservation Tips
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In the Bathroom

Allow small children to bathe together
Don't run water while you're brushing your teeth
Don't run water while you're shaving
Don't use the toilet as a wastebasket
Install a low-flush model if you replace your toilet
Install low-flow shower heads and low-flow aerators on faucets
Place dams, plastic bottles or other devices in your toilet tank to use less water per flush
Take shorter showers

Do not use running water to thaw food
For cooking most foods, use only a small amount of water and put a lid on the pot. Not only does this save money, but food is more nutritious since vitamins and minerals are not poured down the drain with extra cooking water
Keep a container of drinking water in the refrigerator. Running water from the tap until it is cool is wasteful
Never run the dishwasher without a full load and run the machine on the energy-saving cycle
Use the sink garbage disposal sparingly and never use it for just a few scraps
Use tight-fitting lids and low temperatures when cooking to reduce evaporation by boiling
When purchasing a dishwasher, select a machine that uses, or can be adjusted to use, less water
When washing dishes by hand, use a pan of water for rinsing instead of rinsing each dish under running water

Use cold water as often as possible to save energy and to conserve the hot water for other uses
Use low suds or cold water detergent. Add only the amount necessary to do the job. You'll need less rinse water
Use the load selector to match the water level to the size of the load
Wash only full loads
When purchasing a washing machine, select a model that uses, or can be adjusted to use, less water

Adjust sprinklers to water plants only, not the sidewalk, driveway, patio or street
Avoid watering on windy days or mid-day when the evaporation is higher. Water early in the morning or in the evening
Condition the soil, mulch, or compost before planting grass or flower beds so that water will soak in rather than run off
Consider decorating areas of the lawn with rocks, gravel, wood chips, or other materials available that require no water at all
Do not scalp lawns when mowing during the hot weather. Taller grass holds the moisture better
Learn to know when grass needs watering
To avoid excessive evaporation, use a sprinkler system that produces large drops of water, rather than a fine mist
Use a drip irrigation system for bedded plants, trees, or shrubs. Turn soaker hoses upside down so the holes are on the bottom. This will help avoid evaporation
Use a watering can or hand water with the hose in small areas of the lawn that need more frequent watering
Use native plants. Learn what types of grass, shrubbery, and plants do best in the area and plant accordingly. Choose plants that have low water requirements, are drought tolerant, and are adapted to the area of the state where they are planted
Water lawns one inch, once per week. Use the tuna can method to measure how long it takes your lawn to get an inch of water

Clean gutters and downspouts manually, without using a hose
Restrict play in the sprinklers to when the lawn needs watering
Use a broom, not a hose to clean driveways, sidewalks, and steps
Use an on / off spray nozzle on your hose
Wash the car sparingly. A running hose uses at least 100 gallons every 20 minutes. Use a bucket of suds and a hose with an on-off nozzle or go to a car wash where the water is recycled

Alert employees on how they can save water while on the job
Carefully schedule irrigation to reduce water use. The time of day, the weather, and the method of irrigation all help decide when and how much to water. Monitoring soil moisture can guide careful watering
Conduct a water audit. As with home and community water conservation, knowing where water is used is the first step. A typical industry uses water for its manufacturing processes, for cooling, for sanitary use, and for routine maintenance and operations. A water audit will identify ways to reduce water use in each of these areas, along with estimated costs and savings
Reclaim and re-use commercial wastewater, whenever possible. This is probably the biggest potential source of savings. Recirculating water-cooled air conditioning systems can cut water use dramatically compared with once through systems
Reduce operation and maintenance water use. Little things such as hoses, equipment washing, leaky pipes and valves can add up to big water losses. Fixing these items is a good maintenance procedure for other reasons as well, including reduced energy costs and extended equipment life
Repair and maintain the irrigation system. Fixing leaks, scheduling mowing, and routine maintenance and operations can reduce water loss