Water Conservation Tips

• A 10 min shower can use up to 25 gallons
• A full bath an use up to 70 gallons
• Brushing your teeth with water on can use up to8-13.2 gallons per day
• Washing hands (with faucet on) can use up to 16-5 gallons per day
• Average washing machine can use up to 41 gallons per load
• High-efficiency front loading washing machine can use less than 28 gallons per load
• Toilet (depending on age ) can use up to 7-1.28 gallons per flush

• When washing dishes by hand, don't let the water run while rinsing. Fill one sink with wash water and the other with rinse water.
• Run your washing machine and dishwasher only when they are full and you could save 1000 gallons a month.
• Use the garbage disposal sparingly as disposals waste water and create havoc for your plumbing.
• Compost your food scrapes instead and save gallons every time.
• Throw trimmings and peelings from fruits and vegetables into your yard compost to prevent from using the garbage disposal.
• Wash your produce in the sink or a pan that is partially filled with water instead of running water from the tap.
• Designate one glass for your drinking water each day. This will cut down on the number of times you run your dishwasher.
• When you have ice left in your cup from a take-out restaurant, don't throw it in the trash, dump it on a plant.
• Don't use running water to thaw food.
  If you accidentally drop ice cubes when filling your glass from the freezer, don't throw them in the sink.
• Drop them in a house plant instead.
• Cut back on rinsing if your dishwasher is new. Newer models clean more thoroughly than older ones.
• Make sure there are aerators on all of your faucets.
• Soak your pots and pans instead of letting the water run while you scrape them clean.
• Cook food in as little water as possible. This will also retain more of the nutrients.
• Select the proper size pans for cooking. Large pans require more cooking water than may be necessary.
• Turn of the faucet while washing your hands, brushing your teeth, shaving and rinsing dishes.

• If your shower can fill a one-gallon bucket in less than 20 seconds, then replace it with a water-efficient showerhead.
• Turn of the faucet while washing your hands, brushing your teeth, shaving and rinsing dishes.
• Keep your showers short or only shower every other day.
• Install a low-flow showerhead and catch the water in a bucket while you wait for the water to warm up- this water may be used later to water your plants.
• Collect the water you use for rinsing produce and reuse it to water houseplants.
• Time your shower to keep it under 5 minutes. You'll save up to 1000 gallons a month.
• Install low-volume toilets.
• Put food coloring in your toilet tank. If it seeps into the toilet bowl, you have a leak. It's easy to fix, and you can save more than 600 gallons a month.
• Plug the bathtub before turning the water on, then adjust the temperature as the tub fills up.
• Before you lather up, install a low-flow showerhead. They're inexpensive, easy to install, and can save your family more than 500 gallons a week.
• When you are washing your hands, don't let the water run while you lather.
• Keep a bucket in the shower to catch water as it warms up or runs. Use this water to flush toilets, water plants, or even top off the laundry machine.
• Don't brush your teeth while in the shower; this wastes several gallons per day.
• Bathe your young children together.
• Turn off the water while you shave and you can save more than 100 gallons a week.
• Teach your children to turn the faucets off tightly after each use.
• Make sure your toilet flapper doesn't stick open after flushing.
• Next time you add or replace a flower or shrub, choose a low water use plant for year-round landscape color and save up to 550 gallons each year.
• Make sure there are aerators on all of your faucets.
• Install low-flow water devices like a WaterSense labeled toilet. The City now provides rebates, up to $100 to cover the cost of replacing an old toilet with a new WaterSense toilet.
• Turn off the water while you brush your teeth and save 4 gallons a minute. That's 200 gallons a week for a family of four.
• Turn the water off while you shampoo and condition your hair, or while shaving, and you can save more than 50 gallons a week.
• If your toilet was installed prior to 1980, place a toilet dam or bottle filled with water in your toilet tank to cut down on the amount of water used for each flush. Be sure these devices do not interfere with operating parts.

• When doing laundry, match the water level to the size of the load.
• Wash clothes only when you have a full load and save up to 600 gallons each month.
• Get the most wear out of your clothes by utilizing a fabric refreshing spray and only washing full loads of laundry.
• Minimize the amount of detergent used so that less water is needed to remove the soap.

• When you shop for a new appliance, consider one offering cycle and load size adjustments. They are more water and energy-efficient than older appliances.
• Install an instant water heater on your kitchen sink so you don't have to let the water run while it heats up. This will also reduce heating costs for your household.
• Make sure you know where your master water shut-off valve is located. This could save gallons of water and damage to your home if a pipe were to burst.
• Do one thing each day that will save water. Even if savings are small, every drop counts.
• Install water softening systems only when necessary. Save water and salt by running the minimum number of regenerations necessary to maintain water softness.
• Choose new water-saving appliances, like washing machines that save up to 20 gallons per load.
  Install low-flow water WaterSense labeled devices.

• Insulate hot water pipes so you don't have to run as much water to get hot water to the faucet

• When you clean your fish tank, use the water you've drained on your plants. The water is rich in nitrogen and phosphorus, providing you with a free and effective fertilizer.
• When mopping use a mild phosphate free detergent, when you're done cleaning dilute the mop water and then empty onto plants outside the house. The key here is to use environmentally safe products!
• When you give your pet fresh water, don't throw the old water down the drain. Use it to water your trees or shrubs.
• Bathe your pets outdoors in an area in need of water.
• Drop that tissue in the trash instead of flushing it and save gallons every time.

• We're more likely to notice leaky faucets indoors, but don't forget to check outdoor faucets, pipes, and hoses for leaks.
• Designate a day each month to grab a wrench and fix that leaky faucet. It's simple, inexpensive, and can save 140 gallons a week.
• Get your kids to play detective and listen for dripping faucets and toilets that flush themselves. Fixing a leak can save 500 gallons each month.

• Check your water meter and bill to track your water usage.
• Use a broom instead of a hose to clean your driveway or sidewalk and save 80 gallons of water every time.
• Adjust your lawn mower to a higher setting. Longer grass shades root systems and holds soil moisture better than a closely clipped lawn.
• Use porous materials for walkways and patios to keep water in your yard and prevent wasteful runoff.
• Direct downspouts and other runoff towards shrubs and trees, or collect and use for your garden.
• Use a commercial car wash that recycles water.
• Don't buy recreational water toys that require a constant flow of water.
• Wash your car on the grass. This will water your lawn at the same time.
• Winterize outdoor spigots when temps dip to 20 degrees F to prevent pipes from bursting or freezing.
• Use a hose nozzle and turn off the water while you wash your car and save more than 100 gallons. Or save even more water by washing your car at a proper in bay car wash!

• Start a compost pile. Using compost when you plant adds water-holding organic matter to the soil.
• Use a screwdriver as a soil probe to test soil moisture. If it goes in easily, don't water. Proper lawn watering can save thousands of gallons of water annually.
• Avoid overseeding your lawn with winter grass. Once established, ryegrass needs water every three to five days, whereas dormant Bermuda grass needs water only once a month.
• Landscape with Xeriscape trees, plants and groundcovers. Call your local conservation office for more information about these water thrifty plants.
• Leave lower branches on trees and shrubs and allow leaf litter to accumulate on top of the soil. This keeps the soil cooler and reduces evaporation.
• Aerate your lawn. Punch holes in your lawn about six inches apart so water will reach the roots rather than run off the surface.

• Follow the City's permanent conservation measures on when to water your lawn. Mandatory watering times are in the morning and evening for both in-ground and hose-end sprinkler systems. Watering at these times, when the evaporation times are low, are the most efficient times to water even if your are watering by hand.
• Replace water intensive grasses such as fescue with a drought tolerant variety. Combine this with letting your grass grow 3-5 inches before mowing and watering your lawn for longer periods and less frequently will stimulate the roots to grow deeper- maximizing water retention.
• Check your sprinkler system frequently and adjust sprinklers so only your lawn is watered and not the house, sidewalk, or street.
• Avoid planting turf in areas that are hard to water such as steep inclines and isolated strips along sidewalks and driveways.
• Plant during the spring or fall when the watering requirements are lower.
• Keep a pitcher of water in the refrigerator instead of running the tap for cold drinks, so that every drop goes down you not the drain.
• Minimize evaporation by watering during the early morning hours, when temperatures are cooler and winds are lighter.
• Use a layer of organic mulch around plants to reduce evaporation and save hundreds of gallons of water a year.
• Divide your watering cycle into shorter periods to reduce runoff and allow for better absorption every time you water.
• Only water your lawn when needed. You can tell this by simply walking across your lawn. If you leave footprints, it's time to water.
• Use the sprinkler for larger areas of grass. Water small patches by hand to avoid waste.
• Water your summer lawns once every three days and your winter lawn once every five days.
• Install a rain shut-off device on your automatic sprinklers to eliminate unnecessary watering.
• Choose a water-efficient drip irrigation system for trees, shrubs and flowers. Watering at the roots is very effective, be careful not to over water.
• Reduce the amount of grass in your yard by planting shrubs, and ground cover with rock and granite mulching.
• Remember to check your sprinkler system valves periodically for leaks and keep the heads in good shape.
• Don't water your lawn on windy days. After all, sidewalks and driveways don't need water.
• Water your plants deeply but less frequently to create healthier and stronger landscapes.
• When watering grass on steep slopes, use a soaker hose to prevent wasteful runoff.
• Group plants with the same watering needs together to get the most out of your watering time.
• Remember to weed your lawn and garden regularly. Weeds compete with other plants for nutrients, light, and water.
• While fertilizers promote plant growth, they also increase water consumption. Apply the minimum amount of fertilizer needed.
• Buy a rain gauge to track how much rain or irrigation your yard receives. Check with your local water agency to see how much rain is needed to skip an irrigation cycle.
• Teach your family how to shut off your automatic watering systems. Turn sprinklers off if the system is malfunctioning or when a storm is approaching.
• Set a kitchen timer when watering your lawn or garden with a hose.
• Bermuda grasses are dormant (brown) in the winter and will only require water once every three to four weeks or less if it rains.
• Use sprinklers that throw big drops of water close to the ground. Smaller drops of water and mist often evaporate before they hit the ground.
• More plants die from over-watering than from under-watering. Be sure only to water plants when necessary.
• Adjust your watering schedule to the season. Water your summer lawn every third day and your winter lawn every fifth day.
• Water only as rapidly as the soil can absorb the water.
• Have your plumber re-route your gray water to trees and gardens rather than letting it run into the sewer line. Check with your city codes, and if it isn't allowed in your area, start a movement to get that changed.
• Place an empty tuna can on your lawn to catch and measure the water output of your sprinklers. For lawn watering advice, contact your local conservation office.
• For hanging baskets, planters and pots, place ice cubes under the moss or dirt to give your plants a cool drink of water and help eliminate water overflow.

• Periodically check your pool for leaks if you have an automatic refilling device.
• Install covers on pools and spas and check for leaks around your pumps.
• Make sure your swimming pools, fountains, and ponds are equipped with recirculating pumps.
• Use a grease pencil to mark the water level of your pool at the skimmer. Check the mark 24 hours later. Your pool should lose no more than 1/4 inch each day.
• When backwashing your pool, consider using the water on your landscaping; some dilution may be required.
• Avoid installing ornamental water features and fountains that spray water into the air. Trickling or cascading fountains lose less water to evaporation.

Encourage your friends and neighbors to be part of a water-conscious community.
While staying in a hotel or even at home, consider reusing your towels.
Make suggestions to your employer to save water (and dollars) at work.
Encourage your school system and local government to help develop and promote a water conservation ethic among children and adults.
Support projects that use reclaimed wastewater for irrigation and other uses.
Pick-up the phone and report significant water losses from broken pipes, open hydrants and errant sprinklers to the property owner or your water management district.