Water Conservation Tips

Indoor Residential Use

  • Use Dishwashers only when they are full. Washing dishes by hand (don’t let the tap run!) saves about 25 gallons.
  • Adjust water level on clothes washing machines, if possible. Use full loads only, if not adjustable.
  • Turn off faucets while brushing teeth, etc. Saves about 5 gallons per day.
  • Reduce water used per flush by installing toilet tank displacement inserts: a plastic jug may often be used as an alternative. Do not use bricks – they disintegrate when soaked and the resulting grit hinders closing of the flap valve.
  • Do not use the toilet as a trash can.
  • Use sink and tub stoppers to avoid wasting water.
  • Keep a bottle of chilled water in the refrigerator for drinking.
  • Find and fix leaks in faucets and water-using appliances. Faucets can usually be fixed cheaply and quickly by replacing washers.
  • Adapt plumbing with flow restricting or other water using devices. These are usually inexpensive and easy to install.
  • Learn to read your water meter so you can judge how much water you use and what differences conservation makes.
  • Take shorter showers and shallow baths. Saves about 25 gallons.
  • Reduce the number of toilet flushes per day. Each flush uses about 5 gallons (2-3 if you have water saving toilets).
  • Don’t use a garbage disposal.
  • Use non-phosphate detergent and save laundry water for lawns and plants.
  • Turn off shower while soaping up.