30 Things You Can Do to Save Water 

In the bathroom:

1. Shorten your shower. A one or two minute reduction can save up to 700 gallons of water each month. If possible take a shallow bath instead of a shower for even greater water savings. (Email sustainability@wpb.org for a free shower timer.)

2. Replace your showerhead with low-flow showerheads or install flow restrictors. (Email sustainability@wpb.org to check for any available free resources.)

3. Put trash in the wastebasket  – don’t flush!  Each time you flush a small bit of trash you can waste up to five to seven gallons of water.

4. Check for leaks in your toilets.  Drop a dye tablet in your toilet tank or add a few drops of food coloring and let stand for at least three hours.  If the color begins to appear in the bowl without flushing, your toilet has a leak and could be wasting thousands of gallons of water each year.  Repair those leaks! (Email sustainability@wpb.org for free dye tablets.)

5. When brushing your teeth, wet your toothbrush, then turn off the water.

6. Rinse your razor in a partially filled sink instead of under a running tap.

7. Check faucets and pipes for leaks.  Replace worn washers.  Small drips from worn washers can waster 20 or more gallons a day.  Large leaks can waste hundreds or even thousands of gallons of water.

8. Use a water displacement bag in the tank of your toilet to reduce the amount of water used per flush. (Email sustainability@wpb.org for a free water displacement bag.)

9. While waiting for your bath water to get warm, place a bucket under the faucet to catch the cold water and then use it to water your plants.

10. Building or remodeling your home?  Ensure only ultra-low flush (U.L.F.) toilets and faucets are installed. Apply for free vouchers to upgrade your toilet(s) here.

In the kitchen and laundry:

11. Keep a bottle of water in the refrigerator for drinking.  Don’t run the tap waiting for cold water.

12. Rinse vegetables in a pan of water – not under a running tap.

13. Use your dishwasher and washing machine for full loads only.

14. Never leave the water running if you wash dishes by hand.  Fill one sink with soapy water and one with clear water.  If you have only one sink use a dish rack and rinse with hot water.

15. Use the smallest amount of detergent possible when washing dishes by hand.  This reduces the amount of water needed.

16. Check your kitchen/bath pipes and faucets for leaks and replace worn washers immediately.

17. Use the garbage disposal less and the garbage can more often.  Better yet, compost!

18. Defrost frozen foods in the microwave or refrigerator, instead of under running water.

Outdoors:

19. Water your lawn in the early morning based upon current water restrictions when there is less evaporation.

20. Plant drought-resistant native trees and plants.  There are many beautiful plants and trees that thrive on small amounts of water.

21. Don’t let your children play with the hose and sprinklers.

22. Place a layer of mulch around trees and plants.  Mulch slows evaporation of moisture and discourages weed growth.

23. Don’t water your lawn on a windy day to prevent excessive evaporation.

24. Set lawn mower blades on notch higher since longer grass means less evaporation.

25. If you have a pool, use a pool cover to cut down on evaporation.

26. Don’t water the sidewalk.  Adjust sprinklers so they miss the sidewalks, driveway, and street.

27. Water only when your lawn really needs it.  If the grass springs back after you step on it, there is no need to water it.

28. Check for leaks in hoses, faucets, pipes and couplings. Outside leaks can waste just as much as those inside.

29. Sweep sidewalks and driveways.  Don’t hose them down.

30. Wash your car with a pail of soapy water, not a running hose.  Use the hose for rinsing only.

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