Indoor and Outdoor Tips

Water deeply but less frequently to help trees and plants develop healthier, stronger root systems. Replace grass with low-water landscaping for even greater savings.

Add 3-inches of mulch around trees and plants to reduce evaporation and keep the soil cool. Organic mulch will also improve the soil and prevent weeds. Save: 20 to 30 gallons per 1,000 square feet

Check your sprinkler system frequently and adjust sprinklers so only your lawn is watered, not the house, sidewalk, or street. Save: 15 to 12 gallons

Use drip irrigation for trees, shrubs and flowers, and remember to turn off the system when it rains. Save: 15 gallons

When washing cars and boats, use a hose with shutoff nozzle. Save: 8 to 18 gallons per minute

Use a broom to clean driveways, sidewalks and patios. Save: 8 to 18 gallons per minute

When washing your hands, turn off the water while you lather.

Turn off the faucet when brushing your teeth. Save: 10 gallons per day

When shaving, plug the sink instead of running the water to rinse your razor. Save: up to 300 gallons a month

Install low-flow showerheads. Save: 2.5 gallons per minute

Cut showers from 10 minutes to 5. Save: 12.5 gallons with a low-flow showerhead, 25 gallons with a standard 5 gallons-per-minute showerhead.

Fill the bathtub halfway or less. Save: 12 gallons. When running a bath, plug the bathtub before turning on the water. Adjust the temperature as the tub fills.

Install a high-efficiency toilet. Save: 19 gallons per person, per day

Test toilets for leaks at least once a year. Put food coloring in your toilet tank. If it seeps into the bowl without flushing, there’s a leak.

Buy a dual-flush toilet, with a half-flush for liquid waste and a full-flush for solid waste.

Don’t use the toilet as a wastebasket.

Don’t use running water to thaw food. Defrost food in the refrigerator.

Keep a pitcher of drinking water in the refrigerator instead of running the tap.

If you accidentally drop ice cubes, drop them in a house plant instead of throwing them in the sink.

Run the dishwasher only when full to save water and energy. New, water-efficient dishwashers can save up to 8 gallons per load, and use less water than washing by hand. If your dishwasher is new, cut back on rinsing. Newer models clean more thoroughly than older ones.

Install aerators on the kitchen faucet to reduce flows to less than 1 gallon per minute.

When washing dishes by hand, don’t let the water run. Fill one basin with wash water and another with rinse water.

Use the garbage disposal sparingly. Instead, compost vegetable food waste and save gallons every time.

Wash fruits and vegetables in a pan of water instead of running water from the tap.

Collect the water you use while rinsing fruits and vegetables and use it to water house plants.

Use the washing machine for full loads only to save water and energy. A high-efficiency model saves 16 gallons per load.