Outside Suggestions

• When you change water from your pet tanks, use the old water on plants outside the house or container plants.  Wash your dog or cat near the lawn or an area that will benefit from any excess water.
• Water your lawn, trees and shrubs when needed. Plants can die from an excess amount of water just as well as not applying enough water.
• Pools, ponds, and water features need to be equipped with a recirculating pump.
• Water toys that require a constant flow of water tend to waste water. To use, you connect a hose, turn on the water and allow that water to flow freely then the toy should be avoided.
• You can save water through the use of a commercial car wash that recycles water. You can use a shut-off nozzle to hand wash your vehicle too.
• Use a layer of mulch or organic material on the surface of your plant beds to minimize weed growth which would use water that would otherwise be used for the intended plant. This will also reduce evaporation.
• Keep your lawn cut higher than you might normally. This will allow shading which holds moisture better.
• When you select a plant for your landscape, consider low water use varieties that can save you up to 500 gallons a year.
• Check the root zone of your lawn for moisture. If your soil is moist two inches down then you still have adequate water available.
• Check for leaks around faucets, sprinklers, and your house valve. Listen for flowing water as well visually inspecting the area.
• If water flows off of your property when the sprinklers operate, check for leaks then adjust run times. Reduce the run time by 50% and add another run cycle. You want the water were it will benefit the plant so better absorption into the soil will return better results.
• The best time to water your lawn is between 10:00pm and 6:00am to reduce water loss from wind and evaporation.
• Use a broom, rake or leaf blower instead of water to clean patios, driveways and sidewalks.

Inside Suggestions

• Rather than running water to get a cool stream, try keeping a container full of water in the refrigerator.
• Composting instead of the using the garbage disposal saves water.
• Check for leaks by physically inspecting around water lines and listening for running water.
• If a faucet aerator is missing, install a water saving aerator. Reducing flow through the faucet can save over 250 gallons of water a month.
• Soak dishes instead of flowing water as you scrape them clean.
• Turn off valves completely when not in use.
• Laundry loads should match the water use amount on your clothes washing machine.
• Defrost food in the refrigerator, not in the sink with running water.
• Reduce the amount of dishes being washed by designating one glass or bottle to drink from throughout the day.
• The plug should be in place to fill a bathtub before the water is even turned on. Take shorter showers and use showerhead control valves to stop the flow of water when soaping.
• Wash fruits and vegetables in a container of water instead of running water over them.
• Don’t use the toilet as a waste basket. Dispose of trash in the trash can instead.
• Run your dishwasher with a full load to maximize efficiency.  After drinking a glass of ice water, use the ice to water a plant rather than dumping the water down the drain.