Saving Water Indoors

Take the 10-minute challenge to chase down leaks.

 KITCHEN

• 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 dishwasher only when it’s full and you could save 1,000 gallons a month.
• For cold drinks, keep a pitcher of water in the refrigerator instead of running the tap.
• Wash your produce in the sink or a pan that is partially filled with water instead of running water from the tap.
• Use the garbage disposal sparingly. Instead, throw trimmings and peelings from fruits and vegetables into your yard compost.
• Collect the water you use for rinsing produce and reuse it to water houseplants
• Soak your pots and pans instead of letting the water run while you scrape them clean.
• Don't use running water to thaw food.
• Designate one glass for your drinking water each day. This will cut down on the number of times you run your dishwasher.
• 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.
• Cut back on rinsing if your dishwasher is new. Newer models clean more thoroughly than older ones.
• 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.
• Grab a wrench and fix that leaky faucet. It's simple, inexpensive, and can save 140 gallons a week.
• 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.
• Select appropriately sized pans for cooking. Large pans require more cooking water than may be necessary.

BATHROOM

• Keep a bucket in the shower to catch water as it warms up or runs. Use this water to flush toilets or water plants.
• Listen for dripping faucets and toilets that flush themselves. Fixing a leak can save 500 gallons each month.
• Turn off the water while you shave and you can save more than 100 gallons a week.
• When you are washing your hands, don't let the water run while you lather.
• If your shower can fill a one-gallon bucket in less than 20 seconds, then replace it with a water-efficient showerhead.
• Time your shower to keep it under 5 minutes. You'll save up to 1,000 gallons a month.
• Install low-flow toilets that use 1.6 or 1.2 gallons per flush rather than older models that use 5 gallons per flush.
• Make sure your toilet flapper doesn't stick open after flushing.
• Make sure there are aerators on all of your faucets.
• Teach your children to turn the faucets off tightly after each use.
• Use a water-efficient showerhead. They're inexpensive, easy to install, and can save up to 750 gallons a month.
• Drop your tissue in the trash instead of flushing it and save water every time.
• Put food coloring in your toilet tank. If it seeps into the toilet bowl without flushing, you have a leak. Fixing it can save up to 1,000 gallons a month.
• Plug the bathtub before turning the water on, then adjust the temperature as the tub fills up.
• Turn off the water while you brush your teeth and save 2 gallons a minute, or 4 gallons if you brush your teeth for the recommended 2 minutes.
• 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
• While staying in a hotel or even at home, consider reusing your towels.

LAUNDRY ROOM

• 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.
• When doing laundry, match the water level to the size of the load.
• Insulate hot water pipes so you don't have to run as much water to get hot water to the faucet.
• Install water softening systems only when necessary. Save water and salt by running the minimum number of regenerations necessary to maintain water softness.
• Wash clothes only when you have a full load and save up to 600 gallons each month.
• Choose new water-saving appliances, like washing machines that save up to 20 gallons per load.