IT STARTS WITH YOU

• There are a number of ways to save water, and they all start with you. Start with making a commitment to conserve!
• Do one thing each day that will save water. Even if savings are small, every drop counts.

GOOD PRACTICES

• Keep a pitcher of water in the refrigerator instead of running the tap for cold drinks so that every drop goes to you and not the drain.
• Designate one glass for your drinking water each day. This will cut down on the number of times you run your dishwasher.
• Teach your children to turn the faucets off tightly after each use.
• Listen for dripping faucets and toilets that flush themselves.
• 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.

SHOPPING

• 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.

KITCHEN CHORES

• 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.
• Cut back on rinsing if your dishwasher is new. Newer models clean more thoroughly than older ones.
• Run your dishwasher only when it’s full.
• Don’t use the garbage disposal. Compost instead or scrape scraps into the trash can.
• Wash your produce in the sink or 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 give houseplants a drink.
• Don’t use running water to thaw food.
• Soak your pots and pans instead of letting the water run while you scrub them clean.
• Select the proper size pans for cooking. Large pans require more cooking water than may be necessary.
• Cook food in as little water as possible. This will also retain more of the nutrients.

LAUNDRY CHORES

• When doing laundry, match the water level to the size of the load.
• Wash clothes only when you have a full load.

BATHROOM

• 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.
• Install low-volume toilets.
• Put food coloring in your toilet tank. If it seeps into the toilet bowl before the next flush, you have a leak.
• Plug the bathtub before turning the water on, then adjust the temperature as the tub fills up.
• Bathe your young children together.
• Before you lather up, install a low-flow showerhead. They’re inexpensive and easy to install.
• Turn off the water while you brush your teeth.
• Make sure your toilet flapper doesn’t stick open after flushing.
• Turn off the water while you shave.
• Turn off the water while you shampoo and condition your hair.
• If your toilet was installed before 1980, place a toilet dam or bottle filled with water in your toilet tank to cut down on the amount of water used for each flush. Be sure these devices do not interfere with operating parts.
• Drop that tissue in the trash instead of flushing it and save gallons every time.

SYSTEMS & MAINTENANCE

• Make sure you know where your master water shut-off valve is located. This could save gallons of water and damage to your home if a pipe were to burst.
• Evaporative coolers require a seasonal maintenance check-up. For more efficient cooling, check your evaporative cooler annually.
• If you have an evaporative cooler, direct the water drain to a flowerbed, tree or your lawn.
• Check your water meter and bill to track your water usage.
• Make sure there are aerators on all of your faucets.
• Install water-softening systems only when necessary. Save water and salt by running the minimum number of regenerations necessary to maintain water softness.
• Install an instant water-heater on your kitchen sink so you don’t have to let the water run while it heats up. This will also reduce heating costs for your household.
• Winterize outdoor spigots when temps dip to 20 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent pipes from bursting or freezing.
• Insulate hot water pipes so you don’t have to run as much water to get hot water to the faucet.
• Support projects that use reclaimed wastewater for irrigation and other uses.
• Pick-up the phone and report significant water losses from broken pipes, open hydrants and errant sprinklers to the property owner or your water management district.
• Grab a wrench and fix that leaky faucet. It’s simple and inexpensive.

OUTDOOR WATERING

• • We’re more likely to notice leaky faucets indoors, but don’t forget to check outdoor faucets, pipes and hoses for leaks.
  • Choose a water-efficient drip irrigation system for trees, shrubs and flowers. Watering at the roots is very effective; be careful not to over water.
  • Use a screwdriver as a soil probe to test soil moisture. If it goes in easily, don’t water.
  • When the kids want to cool off, use the sprinkler in an area where your lawn needs it the most.
  • Bathe your pets outdoors in an area in need of water.
  • SCHEDULES
    • Adjust your watering schedule to the season.
    • Minimize evaporation by watering during the early morning hours, when temperatures are cooler and winds are lighter.
    • Divide your watering cycle into shorter periods to reduce runoff and allow for better absorption every time you water.
    • Water your plants deeply, but less frequently, to create healthier and stronger landscapes.
    • More plants die from over-watering than from under-watering. Be sure to only water plants when necessary.
    • Set a kitchen timer when watering your lawn or garden with a hose.
    • Water only as rapidly as the soil can absorb the water.

• LAWNS

• • • Only water your lawn when needed. You can tell when it’s time by simply walking across your lawn –if you leave footprints, it’s time to water.
    • Don’t water your lawn on windy days. After all, sidewalks and driveways don’t need water.
    • Bermuda grasses are dormant (brown) in the winter and will only require water once every three to four weeks or less if it rains.
    • When watering grass on steep slopes, use a soaker hose to prevent wasteful runoff.
    • Aerate your lawn. Punch holes in your lawn about six inches apart so water will reach the roots rather than run off the surface.

• SPRINKLERS

• • Check your sprinkler system frequently and adjust sprinklers so only your lawn is watered and not the house, sidewalk or street.
  • Place an empty tuna can on your lawn to catch and measure the water output of your sprinklers. For lawn-watering advice, contact your local conservation office.
  • Use the sprinkler for larger areas of grass. Water small patches by hand to avoid waste.
  • Install a rain shut-off device on your automatic sprinklers to eliminate unnecessary watering.
  • Use sprinklers that throw big drops of water close to the ground. Smaller drops of water and mist often evaporate before they hit the ground.
  • Remember to check your sprinkler system valves periodically for leaks and keep the heads in good shape.
  • Teach your family how to shut off your automatic watering systems. Turn sprinklers off if the system is malfunctioning or when a storm is approaching.

OUTDOOR CHORES

• • Use a broom instead of a hose to clean your driveway or sidewalk.
  • Adjust your lawnmower to a higher setting. Longer grass shades root systems and holds soil moisture better than a closely-clipped lawn.
  • Use porous materials for walkways and patios to keep water in your yard and prevent wasteful runoff.
  • Direct downspouts and other runoff towards shrubs and trees, or collect it with a rain barrel for use in your garden.
  • Buy a rain gauge to track how much rain or irrigation your yard receives. Check with your local water agency to see how much rain is needed to skip an irrigation cycle.

• POOLS & FOUNTAINS

• • • Install covers on pools and spas, and check for leaks around your pumps.
    • Periodically check your pool for leaks if you have an automatic refilling device.
    • Use a grease pencil to mark the water level of your pool at the skimmer. Check the mark 24 hours later. Your pool should lose no more than 1/4 inch each day.
    • Don’t buy recreational water toys that require a constant flow of water.
    • Avoid installing ornamental water features and fountains that spray water into the air. Trickling or cascading fountains lose less water to evaporation.
    • Make sure your swimming pools, fountains and ponds are equipped with recirculating pumps.

• CAR WASHING

• • Patronize a commercial car wash that recycles water. OR…
  • Wash your car on the grass to water your lawn at the same time.
  • Use a hose nozzle and turn off the water while you wash your car.

PLANTING

• Plant during the spring or fall when the watering requirements are lower.
• Use a layer of organic mulch around plants to reduce evaporation.
• Avoid planting turf in areas that are hard to water such as steep inclines and isolated strips along sidewalks and driveways.
• Reduce the amount of grass in your yard by planting shrubs, and ground cover with rock and granite mulching.
• Group plants with the same watering needs together to get the most out of your watering time.
• Remember to weed your lawn and garden regularly. Weeds compete with other plants for nutrients, light and water.
• While fertilizers promote plant growth, they also increase water consumption. Apply the minimum amount of fertilizer recommended after doing a soil test.
• Next time you add or replace a flower or shrub, choose a low-water-use plant.
• Avoid overseeding your lawn with winter grass. Once established, rye grass needs water every three to five days, whereas dormant Bermuda grass needs water only once a month.
• Landscape with xeriscape trees, plants and groundcovers. Call your local conservation office for more information about these water thrifty plants.
• Leave lower branches on trees and shrubs and allow leaf litter to accumulate on top of the soil. This keeps the soil cooler and reduces evaporation.
• Start a compost pile. Using compost when you plant adds water-holding organic matter to the soil.

HELP SPREAD THE WORD

• Encourage your school system and local government to help develop and promote a water conservation ethic among children and adults.
• Make suggestions to your employer to save water (and dollars) at work.
• Encourage your friends and neighbors to be part of a water-conscious community.