Water-Saving Tips
Install Faucet Aerators. They use less water, even if you're turning on the taps for the same amount of time. You should be able to get faucet aerators for less than two dollars apiece. Chances are you already have some form of aerator in your faucet (they're those little mesh screen pieces that screw onto the nozzle). If you already have them, you can unscrew them and check the side for their gpm (gallons per minute) rating. If it's over 2.75 gallons, it's probably worth it to get one with a better, lower rating.
Repair Faucet Leaks. A leaky faucet can waste 1,000–2,000 gallons of water a year.
Utilize Greywater. Save unused drinking water, capture water while you're waiting for the shower to heat up and hang on to your cooking water, then use it to water your plants.
Insulate Pipes. Cover your hot water pipes with foam insulation to prevent heat loss. The pay off is faster hot water and less water waste.
Place Your Hot Water Heater Close to Where You Use It. The shorter the distance the water has to travel, the faster you'll have hot water. Less time waiting equates to less water wasted.
Install a Tankless Hot Water Heater. When it's time to replace your hot water heater, consider upgrading to a tankless unit (also known as an on-demand water heater). It heats water faster and only when you need it — a water savings and an energy savings.
Have a Fish Tank? Don't throw the dirty water down the drain when you clean it. Instead, use it for your houseplants — the nitrogen and phosphorus-rich water is a great natural fertilizer.
Only Run Your Dishwasher When Full. Unless you have a newer dishwasher with a half-wash option, you use the same amount of water no matter how many dishes you put in. Since it uses hot water, you're paying not only for H2O, but also for the energy used to heat it.
Don't Pre-Rinse Your Dishes. Instead of rinsing dishes before washing, simply scrape them off.
Soak, Don't Rinse Extremely Dirty Dishes. For dishes needing heavy cleaning, soak them before washing. This lets you use a normal wash cycle, and filling the sink uses less water than running the tap continuously.
Keep a Pitcher of Water in the Refrigerator. Instead of letting the faucet run for a few minutes to get a cool glass of water, keep a pitcher chilled. As a bonus, an uncovered pitcher lets chlorine dissipate, improving the taste.
Wash Whites on Warm, Not Hot. Unless a member of your household is particularly active, whites typically come out just as clean on the warm setting — and your water heater won't need to heat several gallons to maximum temperature.
Only Wash Full Loads. You'll save water and reduce wear on your machine. Use the load selector if a smaller load is necessary.
Wear Clothes More Than Once. Pants and outerwear usually don't get very dirty. Wearing them twice before washing cuts down on water use and housework.
Upgrade to a High-Efficiency Washer. A high-efficiency washer can be up to three times more efficient than a conventional model. Upgrade when your current washer needs replacing and enjoy the long-term savings.
Collect Rainwater for Plants. Attach rain barrels to the end of your gutter downspouts to collect rainwater, then use it to water plants and wash your car.
Water with Soaker Hoses. A soaker hose gives you precise control over where the water goes, reducing runoff and waste.
Mulch Your Garden. Mulch reduces evaporation, ensuring your plants get the full benefit of rainfall and irrigation.
Water During Cooler Hours. The best time to water is in the evenings or late at night to minimize evaporation.
Let the Grass Grow Taller in Hot Weather. Taller grass and mulch around shrubs help retain soil moisture during summer heat.
Choose Low-Water Shrubs and Plants. Native and drought-adapted plantings save water and require less maintenance.
Choose Drought-Resistant Plants. Let rainfall handle all the watering for you.
Aim Your Sprinkler at the Lawn, Not the Pavement. Water hitting your driveway or house doesn't help your grass and wastes water.
Don't Water on Windy Days. Wind carries water away from where you want it, resulting in uneven coverage and waste.
Take Your Car to a Car Wash. A professional car wash eliminates 100 or more gallons from your water bill each visit — and facilities that recycle water stretch those savings even further.
Sweep Sidewalks Instead of Spraying. A broom can save a substantial amount of water compared to hosing down hard surfaces.
Use a Wading Pool Instead of a Sprinkler. Fill a wading pool for kids instead of running a sprinkler. They can splash around for hours without the continuous flow of water.
Install a Low-Flow Showerhead. A low-flow showerhead uses less water while still providing enough pressure to rinse effectively, saving both water and energy costs.
Take Shorter Showers. Aim for a five-minute shower. With a low-flow showerhead you'll use 12.5 gallons or less — compared to 37.5 gallons for a 15-minute shower.
Shower Instead of Bathing. The EPA estimates it takes about 35 gallons to fill an average bathtub. Switch to a five-minute shower with a low-flow showerhead and save roughly 22.5 gallons each time.
Simulate a Low-Flush Toilet. If you don't have a water-saving toilet, place a clean brick or a sealed, pebble-filled plastic bottle in the tank to displace water and reduce the volume used per flush.
Check Toilets for Leaks. According to the National Sanitation Foundation, a leaky toilet can waste up to 500 gallons per day. Place a dye tablet in the tank and watch for dye seeping into the bowl — if it does, you have a leak that needs attention.
Replace Your Toilet Flapper Once a Year. Flappers break down quickly. Replacing one annually — even before failure — costs a few dollars and can save significantly more on your water bill.
Install an Adjustable Flapper. Several manufacturers offer flappers you can set to your desired flush volume. According to Niagara Conservation, an adjustable flapper can save up to three gallons per flush.
Install a Fill Cycle Diverter. This simple, low-cost add-on redirects overflow water back to the tank during the fill cycle, saving about half a gallon per flush.
Switch to a Low-Flow Toilet. When replacing your toilet, choose a low-flow model using 1.6 gallons per flush versus the 3.6 gallons of a conventional toilet.
Don't Flush Trash. Flushing cigarette butts or other waste is harmful to your septic system and wastes water unnecessarily.
Turn Off the Water While Brushing or Shaving. There's no reason to keep the tap running when it isn't being used — every second of flow counts.
