Some of our most important household appliances use an incredible amount of water. But there are many easy things you can do to eliminate water waste at home and save money doing it.

• Check for leaks by adding food coloring to the tank. Color will appear in the bowl within 30 minutes if there’s a leak.
• Check for worn out, corroded or bent parts.
• Consider purchasing low-flow toilets that can reduce indoor water use by 20%.
• Install a toilet dam or a bottle in the tank to reduce water needed for each flushing.
• Avoid unnecessary flushing. Dispose of tissues, insects and other waste in the trash.
• Adjust or replace the flush handle if it frequently sticks in the flush position and lets water run constantly.

• Replace your showerhead with an ultra low-flow version, saving up to 2.5 gallons per minute.
• Take shorter showers.
• In the shower, decrease the flow to achieve a comfortable temperature instead of increasing the hot or cold water.
• For baths, close the drain before turning the faucet. To balance the initial burst of cold water add only hot water later.
• Turn off the tap while shaving, washing your face or brushing your teeth.

• Kitchen sink disposals require lots of water to operate properly. Start a compost pile for food waste instead.
• Store drinking water in the refrigerator rather than letting the tap run for a cool glass of water.
• Use the refrigerator or a microwave instead of running water to thaw frozen foods.
• Consider an instant water heater on your kitchen sink so running water heats up quicker.

• For hand washing, fill one sink with soapy water and quickly rinse under a slow stream of water from the faucet. Use the dirty water to run your sink disposal if necessary.
• Fully load automatic dishwashers; they use the same amount of water no matter how big of a load.
• Look for water and energy saving options with new dishwashers.

• Lawns only need watering every five to seven days in the summer. A hearty rain can delay this up to two weeks.
• Water lawns during the early morning when temperatures are lowest to prevent evaporation.
• Make sure sprinklers water the lawn and shrubs, not paved areas.
• Look into water-efficient sprinklers, such as micro/drip irrigation and soaker hoses.
• Regularly check sprinkler systems and timing devices to be sure they are operating properly. Turn off when storms are approaching.
• Make sure water is turned off when you’re done. Your garden hose can pour out 600 gallons or more in only a few hours. Use a kitchen timer as a reminder.

• Raise your lawn mower blade to at least three inches. A higher cut lawn encourages grass roots to grow deeper, shades the root system and holds soil moisture better than closely-clipped lawns.
• Avoid over-fertilizing your lawn. This increases the need for water and is a source of water pollution.

• Mulch to retain moisture in the soil. This helps control weeds that compete with plants for water.
• Plant native and/or drought-tolerant grasses, ground covers, shrubs and trees. Check with your local nursery for advice.
• Group plants based on similar water needs.
• Use a hose shut-off nozzle so that water flows only as needed. When finished, turn off at the faucet instead of the nozzle to avoid leaks.
• Minimize the grass areas in your yard; less grass means less water.

• Check all hoses, connectors and spigots regularly. Replace or add washers if you find leaks.
• Avoid the installation of ornamental water features unless the water is recycled.
• If you have a pool, consider a single backflushing with a traditional filter that only uses 180 to 250 gallons of water.
• Ask if your car wash recycles water.
• If you wash your own car, use a bucket with soapy water and turn off the water while soaping.
• Avoid purchasing recreational water toys that require a constant stream of water.