Practice good water-use habits.

There are a number of ways to save water, and they all start with you.

Kitchen Tips

• When washing dishes by hand, don't let the water run while rinsing. Fill one sink with wash water and the other with rinse water.
• Wash your produce in a pan that is partially filled with water instead of running water from the tap.
• Collect the water you use for rinsing produce and reuse it to water houseplants.
• Use the garbage disposal sparingly. Compost instead and save gallons every time.
• Dry scrape dishes instead of rinsing them and do not pre-rinse dishes if you are using the dishwasher.
• Run the dishwasher with a full load to save water, energy and detergent.
• Use the dishwashers short wash cycle if your dishes are only lightly soiled.
• Keep a pitcher of water in the refrigerator instead of running the tap for cold drinks, so that every drop goes down you not the drain.
• Transfer frozen foods to the refrigerator to defrost the night before instead of letting water run over them.

• Run water just to wet and rinse your hands and while brushing your teeth.
• Turn off water while shaving. Put hot water in the sink instead of letting the water run.
• If your shower can fill a one-gallon bucket in less than 20 seconds, then replace it with a water-efficient showerhead.
• Time your shower to keep it under 5 minutes. You'll save up to 1000 gallons a month.
• Plug the bathtub before turning the water on, then adjust the temperature as the tub fills up.
• Turn off the water while you are shampooing your hair.
• Install low-volume toilets.
• Put food coloring in your toilet tank. If it seeps into the toilet bowl, you have a leak. It's easy to fix, and you can save more than 600 gallons a month.
• Don't use your toilet as a trash can for paper and facial tissues.

• Run your washing machine and dishwasher only when they are full and you could save 1000 gallons a month. Conventional washing machines use 32-59 gallons per load.
• When you shop for a new appliance, consider one offering cycle and load size adjustments. They are more water and energy-efficient than older appliances.
• Match the load setting with the amount of laundry to be washed if you must wash partial loads.
• Use the shortest wash cycle for lightly soiled loads as it uses less water than other cycles.

• Only water your lawn when needed. You can tell this by simply walking across your lawn. If you leave footprints, it's time to water
• Divide your watering cycle into shorter periods to reduce runoff and allow for better absorption every time you water.
• Use the sprinkler for larger areas of grass. Water small patches by hand to avoid waste.
• Minimize evaporation by watering during the early morning hours, when temperatures are cooler and winds are lighter.
• Check your sprinkler system frequently and adjust sprinklers so only your lawn is watered and not the house, sidewalk, or street.
• Use porous materials for walkways and patios to keep water in your yard and prevent wasteful runoff.
• We're more likely to notice leaky faucets indoors, but don't forget to check outdoor faucets, pipes, and hoses for leaks.
• Adjust your lawn mower to a higher setting. Longer grass shades root systems and holds soil moisture better than a closely clipped lawn.
• Plant during the spring or fall when the watering requirements are lower.
• Use a layer of organic mulch around plants to reduce evaporation and save hundreds of gallons of water a year.
• When you clean your fish tank, use the water you've drained on your plants. The water is rich in nitrogen and phosphorus, providing you with a free and effective fertilizer.
• Avoid planting turf in areas that are hard to water such as steep inclines and isolated strips along sidewalks and driveways.
• Use a broom instead of a hose to clean your driveway or sidewalk and save 80 gallons of water every time.
• Periodically check your pool for leaks if you have an automatic refilling device.
• Install covers on pools and spas and check for leaks around your pumps.
• Check your water meter and bill to track your water usage.
• Evaporative coolers require a seasonal maintenance checkup. For more efficient cooling, check your evaporative cooler annually.