This is a great article for all who want to conserve water.
- Water early in the morning or later in the evening when temperatures are cooler. Save: 25 gallons/each time you water
- Check your sprinkler system frequently and adjust sprinklers so only your lawn is watered and not the house, sidewalk, or street. Save: 15-12 gallons/each time you water
- Choose a water-efficient irrigation system such as drip irrigation for your trees, shrubs, and flowers. Save: 15 gallons/each time you water.
- Water deeply but less frequently to create healthier and stronger landscapes.
- Put a layer of mulch around trees and plants to reduce evaporation and keep the soil cool. Organic mulch also improves the soil and prevents weeds. Save: 20-30 gallons/each time you water/1,000 sq. ft.
- Plant drought-resistant trees and plants. Save: 30- 60 gallons/each time you water/1,000 sq. ft
Bathroom
Bathroom use accounts for about 75 percent of the water used inside the home.
- Check regularly for any leaks in your toilet, faucets and water hose bibs and fix them. Water saved: up to 200 gallons per day.
- Install a low-flow showerhead. Water saved: about 2 gallons per minute.
- Replace older, larger-use toilets with the newer higher efficiency toilets. Water saved: .5 to 5 gallons per flush.
- Take short showers and save the baths for special occasions. Water saved: 2 to 5 gallons per minute
Kitchen
About 8 percent of in-home water use takes place in the kitchen.
- Don't rinse dishes before loading dishwasher. Water saved: 20 gallons per load.
- Wash only full loads in the dishwasher. An efficient dishwasher usually uses much less water than washing dishes by hand.
- Install a low-flow faucet aerator, which can cut water use in half. Water saved: 1 to 2 gallons per minute.
- When buying a new dishwasher, consider purchasing a water-saving model. (New models use up to 25 percent less water than older ones.) Water saved: 3 gallons per load.
- Wash only full loads in the clothes washer. Washing small loads uses over twice as much water per pound of laundry.
- When buying a new clothes washer, consider purchasing a water-saving model. Water saved: up to 40 gallons per load.
- Insulate hot water pipes where possible to avoid long delays (and wasted water) while waiting for the water to "run hot." When building a new home, keep the distance short between the water heater and showers and other places that hot water is used.