To conserve water, consider the following tips:
- Check for leaks in your toilet by adding food coloring to the tank and seeing if it seeps into the bowl without flushing
- Avoid using the toilet as a wastebasket
- Put a plastic bottle filled with sand and water in your toilet tank to reduce the amount of water used per flush
- Take shorter showers
- Install water-saving shower heads or flow restrictors
- Put a bottle of tap water in the fridge to avoid waiting for the tap to run cold
- Plant drought-tolerant plants and trees
- Recycle indoor water for use on plants
- Only flush when necessary
- Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth
- Run washing machines and dishwashers only when fully loaded
- Use a low-flow shower head and faucet aerators
- Fix leaks
- Install a dual flush or low-flow toilet or a conversion kit for your existing toilet
- Avoid overwatering your lawn, and water during off-peak periods, using rain sensors on irrigation systems
- Install a rain barrel for outdoor watering
- Plant a rain garden to catch stormwater runoff
- Monitor your water usage and ask your local government about a home water audit
- Share water-saving knowledge with neighbors
- Take showers instead of baths
- Use a watering can instead of a hose or sprinkler, aiming for the roots
- Wash your car with a bucket and sponge instead of a hose
- Consider only flushing the toilet when necessary
- Fix dripping taps and running toilets
- Add plant material to flower beds to prevent evaporation
- Keep a jug of water in the fridge instead of running the cold tap
- Use a wash basin when washing dishes by hand
- Scrape your plate instead of rinsing it before loading it into the dishwasher
- Thaw food in the refrigerator overnight instead of using a running tap of hot water
- Add food waste to a compost pile instead of using the garbage disposal
