Ways to Conserve Water: Tips for
Saving Water

Looking for ways to conserve water? We're all looking for ways to save money. And by looking for ways to save water, you can lower your water bill.

It's a win/win situation. You'll save money, and help to save the environment, too.

The easiest places to save water are in the kitchen and bathroom; just become more aware of your water usage and you'll automatically think of ways to cut back.

Saving Water in the Bathroom

1. Ditch the baths. Just by switching to showers, you'll save gallons of water and money.



2. Stick to five-minute showers. Long, steamy half hour showers are lovely, but they waste a lot of water.
3. Don't run the tap. A running tap can waste up to 6 litres of water a minute. Turn the faucet off when you're brushing your teeth, shaving or lathering your face or hands. If you need to rinse, consider partially filling the sink basin with rinse water, rather than letting the tap run.
4. Fix drips as soon as you notice them. The amount of water wasted may not seem like much, but it adds up over time.
5. Invest in a water saving toilet, a low flush toilet, or a water-less toilet (composting toilet).
6. Check for toilet leaks by adding a food colouring to the tank.
7. Install low-flow taps and a water-saving shower-head.
8. Avoid flushing the toilet too often (if you can stand it). Follow the "let it mellow" rule of thumb.

Water Conservation in the Kitchen

1. Ways to conserve water: fill your dishwasher completely before running it
2. When it's time to buy a new dishwasher, go for one that's energy and water-efficient.
3. Don't fill the kettle to the top, just boil the minimum amount you'll need, ie. if you're just making one cup of coffee, heat that amount of water.
4. Defrost food in the refrigerator, or microwave. Don't run it under a tap.
5. Sink-based garbage disposals use a lot of water. Compost all the food scraps you can.

How to Save Water in the Garden

1. Re-use rainwater. Invest in a water butt or rainbarrel to catch roof run-off (where legal - some States in the US (currently Utah and Washington) have made it illegal to collect rainwater).
2. Wash your car with a bucket and sponge - not the hose. Washing your car yourself with a hose can use up to twice as much water as a commercial car wash.
3. Use left-over water from dehumidifiers to water your plants.
4. Landscape with drought-resistant plants that don't require much water.
5. Water your lawn once a week at most. Don't water if it's been raining. Make sure you're not wasting money by watering walkways or your driveway.
6. Don't water your lawn when the sun is high and bright. Your water will evaporate before it does your lawn any good. Early morning is a good choice.

Looking for ways to conserve water will save you money. And you'll help to save the planet, too.

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