Waves-of-Ways To 

Save Water

TOILET:
Replace the flapper valve in your toilet tank.
Install a displacement device in your toilet tank.
Install a 1.6 gallon-per-flush toilet.
Flush less.
Remember the toilet is not an ashtray or wastebasket.
Check for leaks with dye tablets.
Fix your toilet leaks immediately.

Click here to learn more about toilets.

TUB/SHOWER:
Install a low-flow showerhead.
Install a showerhead with a shutoff valve.
Take shorter showers.
Use less water for bathing.
Fix your showerhead leaks immediately.

SINK:
Install a low-flow faucet aerator.
Install an aerator with a shutoff valve.
While shaving, tooth brushing, etc. turn off the water.
When cold will do, avoid using hot water. 

Fix your faucet leaks immediately.
While doing dishes, washing vegetables, etc. turn off the water.
Keep a container of cold water in the refrigerator.
Thaw frozen food in the refrigerator or microwave,
not under running water.
Use your garbage disposal sparingly, or start composting your kitchen waste.

DISHWASHER:
Do only full loads.
Scrape, don't rinse your dishes before loading.
Check each model's water requirements when shopping for a new dishwasher.

WASHER
Do only full loads.
Avoid the use of hot water (which sets many stains) when cold will do.
Select a short wash cycle unless your clothes are very soiled.
Check each model's water requirements
when shopping for a new washer.
Consider a horizontal axis model.

LAWN/GARDEN
Water early in the morning or late at night, not during the day.
Water your plants only when they really need it.
Use a soil probe to check the depth of soil moisture around plants.
Water long and slow, rather than short and heavy.
Landscape with low-water-using plants.
Mulch all planting areas.
Keep your irrigation systems well maintained.
Condition your soil with mulch or compost for better moisture absorption.
Replace your lawn with native plants.
Plant trees where they will shade buildings and outdoor living areas.

Click here to learn more about watering.

OTHER:
Wash your car with a bucket of water, saving the hose for the final rinse.
To cleanup outside areas, use a broom, not a hose.
Locate your master cutoff valve in case of an emergency.
Cover your swimming pool.
Use pool flush water for plants.
Service your evaporative coolers regularly.
Check for leaks between your water meter at the street and your house.
Insulate all hot water pipes and the hot water heater.
Harvest rainwater from your roof for use on plants.
Contour your yard to direct rainwater to plants.
Investigate the use of graywater for landscape irrigation.