Water Conservation

 

Water Conservation Tips

  • Check toilets for silent leaks: Drop food coloring into the tank; if color appears in the bowl without flushing, replace the flapper valve (EPA WaterSense, 2023).
  • Install low-flow showerheads: Switch to WaterSense labeled models to maintain rinse pressure while using less water per minute (EPA WaterSense, 2024).
  • Turn off tap while brushing teeth: Shut the faucet off while brushing or shaving to save up to 8 gallons of water daily (EPA WaterSense, 2023).
  • Fix dripping faucets promptly: Replace worn washers immediately; a faucet dripping once per second wastes thousands of gallons annually (EPA WaterSense, 2024).
  • Run full dishwasher loads only: Avoid running the machine half-empty to maximize water and energy utility efficiency (DOE, 2024).
  • Scrape plates, do not rinse: Clear food scraps into the compost or trash instead of running tap water to pre-rinse dishes (EPA, 2023).
  • Install faucet aerators: Screw high-efficiency aerators onto kitchen and bathroom spigots to reduce flow volume by 30% or more (EPA WaterSense, 2024).
  • Collect shower warming water: Place a clean bucket under the stream while waiting for hot water, then use it on houseplants (Water Research Foundation, 2016).
  • Wash vegetables in a basin: Clean produce in a bowl of standing water rather than letting the faucet run continuously (Food and Agriculture Organization [FAO], 2021).
  • Re-use vegetable cooking water: Allow unsalted boiling or steaming water to cool completely, then feed it to backyard plants for trace nutrient delivery (FAO, 2021).
  • Water outdoor plants early or late: Irrigate lawns before 10 AM or after 6 PM to prevent instant solar evaporation (EPA WaterSense, 2023).
  • Install a backyard rain barrel: Capture roof runoff from downspouts to use for landscaping and non-potable garden irrigation (EPA, 2022).
  • Apply thick organic mulch: Spread a 3-inch layer around garden plants to trap soil moisture and suppress weed growth (USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service [NRCS], 2022).
  • Plant native flora species: Choose regional plants that adapt naturally to local rainfall patterns without requiring supplemental watering (USDA NRCS, 2023).

 

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