How to Save Water in Your Home

1. Do not put water down the drain when there might be an alternative use for it such as cleaning, or watering a plant.

2. By adding food coloring to the tank you can check for leaks. If the toilet is leaking, color will appear within a 30-minute period. Check the toilet for corroded, worn out or bent parts.

3. After you wet your toothbrush, turn off the water. It is unnecessary to keep the water running while brushing your teeth.

4. When buying a new dishwasher, consider purchasing a water-saving model. New models use up to 25 percent less water than older ones, saving up to 4 gallons of water per load, and saving you money.

5. Verify that your house is free of hidden water leaks. Read your water meter before and after a two-hour period when no water is being used. If the meter does not read precisely the same then there is a leak.

6. Washing only full loads in the clothes washer is more efficient. Washing a small load uses over twice as much water per pound of laundry.

7. When washing dishes by hand, only leave the water on while rinsing a dish, not in between rinses.

8. Always se a broom, not a hose, to clean driveways and sidewalks.

9. Do not use running water to thaw meat or other frozen foods. Defrost food overnight in the refrigerator or by using the defrost setting on your microwave.

10. Water your garden either first thing in the morning or late in the evening; this will reduce the amount of water that is evaporated by the sun.

11. Insulating your water pipes will get hot water faster, as well as avoid wasting water while it heats up.

12. Water your lawn only when it needs it. A reliable way to see if your lawn needs watering is to step on the grass. If it springs back up when you move, it doesn't need water. If it stays flat, the lawn needs to be watered.

13. Kitchen sink disposals require lots of water to operate properly. Start a compost pile as an alternate method of disposing food waste instead of using a garbage disposal.

14. Cover you pool. Using a cover is the best way to prevent water loss from your pool. Studies show that pool covers can reduce swimming pool water evaporation by nearly 30%

15. After boiling an egg wait for the water to cool down and then use it to water your houseplants. Your plants will benefit from all the nutrients that are released from the shell.

16. Put a plastic bottle filled with pebbles or sand in the toilet tank to reduce flushing water.

17. Even small drips can waste hundreds of gallons of water each day. Check all water using fixture frequently for drips.

18. Put a layer of mulch around trees and plants. Mulch will slow evaporation of moisture while discouraging weed growth.

19. Avoid flushing the toilet without need. Dispose of tissues, insects and other such waste in a wastebasket instead of the toilet.

20. Replace your showerhead with an ultra-low-flow version and take shorter (and perhaps fewer) showers.