Water conservation in California is more important than ever. During a historic drought, Governor Brown issued an executive order mandating substantial water reductions across our state. Everyone should know how to save water, whether at home, on the lawn, or at work. No matter what time or place, there is always an opportunity to be water efficient. To help everyone out, we found the best advice and tips from official sources and around the web. Share them with friends and neighbors!
To understand how bad the problem is, check out these pictures of drought impacted areas.
How to Save Water in the Kitchen
- Wait for a full load before running a dishwasher cycle.
- Use a dishwasher instead of washing by hand.
- Program dishwashers to skip the pre-rinse and extra-rinse cycles.
- Save even more water by converting to a water and energy efficient model of dishwasher.
- Soak dishes with baked on food in hot soapy water. After a few minutes, wipe the food off with a sponge.
- When washing by hand, try filling one side of the sink with soapy water for washing and the other side with clean water for rinsing.
- Use a single glass or water bottle for water consumption throughout the day. This will reduce the number of glasses to wash at the end of the day.
- An instant water heater reduces energy costs and water waste. No more having to run the water and waiting for it to get hot. Check out the video below to learn about instant/tankless water heaters.
- Save the running water when waiting for hot water and use it for other things such as watering plants or cooking.
- Make compost from food waste and plant matter. Once it breaks down into humus, it can be used to in the garden to add nutrients to depleted soil.
- Get more information on composting.
- Use refrigerators and appliances that use air-cooling instead of water-cooling. Not only are they more efficient, they can save money in the long-term.
- Get more information on saving money with air-cooled systems.
- When preparing fruits and vegetables, wash them in a pan or bowl instead of using running water. Once finished, use the water for houseplants.
- Give frozen meats time to thaw out in the refrigerator instead of placing them under running water.
- Don’t throw away those ice cubes! If they fall on the floor or are leftover from an ice cold drink, toss them into a houseplant and put them to use.
- For that matter, get rid of superfluous, decorative house plants!
- Place the lid on your pots and pans to prevent water loss from evaporation. Most lids have an escape valve to release steam pressure.
- Use a pressure cooker to make the most of even just a small amount of water.
- Get tasty pressure cooker recipes. More recipes here.
- Make sure a pan is the right size for the job when cooking. Cooking with less water also helps retain nutrients.
- Don’t throw away water left over from steaming vegetables. Use it as a base for a nutritious soup. Water from cooked foods can also be an option.
- Check the sink faucet regularly for leaks.
- Consider contracting a GreenPlumber. They go through an international training and accreditation program that focuses on the use of energy efficient and water saving technologies. Find the nearest GreenPlumber in your area.
How to Save Water in the Bathroom
- Cutting shower time in half can have dramatic reductions in water waste. Only a minute less of shower time every day can reduce water use by up to 150 gallons a month. Keeping it under 5 minutes can save up to 1,000 gallons per month. That’s nothing to take lightly! (wateruseitwisely.com)
- Consider installing a steam shower, they use much less water and are very relaxing. Learn more about the benefits of steam showers.
- Shop for steam showers available from Trade Winds Imports.
- Install a low flow or WaterSense showerhead for even more saving. There are even showerheads with a switch to turn water flow on and off without having to readjust the temperature. That way you can more easily turn off the shower while you lather up or wash your hair. Get more information on WaterSense showerheads.
- Since baths are more wasteful, short showers under five minutes are recommended. But if you choose to take a bath, consider only filling the tub halfway or less. Check out this useful fact sheet on showers and baths from the Portland Water Bureau.
- Before running a bath, first plug the drain and then adjust the water temperature as the tub fills.
- A good way to test your shower is to use a one-gallon bucket. If the shower can fill the bucket in twenty seconds or less than the water flow is high. Consider replacing the shower head with a WaterSense or low-flow model.
- Reuse your towels instead of washing them after single use.
- Check the shower head regularly for leaks.
How To Save Water at the Bathroom Sink
- Install aerators on all faucets, they are very good for saving water. Check out some water saving faucet aerators.
- Instead of leaving the water running, plug the sink first and use water collected to rinse your razor. This can save twice as much water per month as shutting off the water while washing your hair.
- Don’t leave water running while brushing teeth.
- Don’t leave water running while washing hands.
- Check the faucet regularly for leaks.
How to Save Water on Toilets
- Look for high-efficiency toilets on the market that also qualify for rebates. Check out this useful list of toilet models that qualify for rebates in Southern California. Here are some handy tips on how to shop for and install a high-efficiency toilet.
- Dual-flush toilets have separate flush settings for solids and liquids, using less water for the latter. Here is an in-depth look on how dual-flush toilets work and how to install them.
- Instead of flushing tissues down the toilet, toss them in the wastebasket. This can also help with reduce clogs in the plumbing.
- To test for leaks, use food coloring in the reservoir and check to see if it reaches the bowl. If it does, there is a leak.
- Your toilet flapper inside the reservoir is often a culprit in water waste. Check it often to make sure it closes properly after flushing. Adjustable flappers save water by matching the settings of a specific toilet.
How to Save Water Doing Laundry
- Use cold water when washing dark clothing. This not only helps save water but saves energy too. Your clothes will last longer because colors fade less over time.
- Water-efficient washers can save up to 16 gallons per load. Check out this shopping guide on high efficiency washers from Consumer Reports.
