Don't Be a Water Hog!

You can save water at home and at school by doing just a couple of things on this list.  Start with a couple and add more when you can.

• Take a five-minute shower instead of a bath. 
Amount saved: 15 gallons per shower.

• Replace your shower head with a low-flow shower head. 
Amount saved: 20 gallons per shower.

• Don’t use toilets as a wastebasket, flush only when you need to.  
Amount saved: 12 or more gallons per day.

• Install an Ultra-Low Flush toilet.
 Amount saved: 1.9 to 7.4 gallons per flush.

• When brushing teeth, turn the water off instead of running the tap. 
Amount saved: 3 or more gallons per brushing.

• Don't run the hose while washing your car. Use a bucket of water and a quick hose rinse at the end.
  Amount saved: 150 gallons each time. For a two-car family that's up to 1,200 gallons a month.

• Run only full loads in the washing machine and dishwasher.  
Amount saved: 300 to 800 gallons per month.

• Use a broom instead of a hose to clean driveways and sidewalks. 
 Amount saved: 150 gallons or more each time. At once a week, that's more than 600 gallons a month.

• Turn off the water while shaving. Fill the bottom of the sink with a few inches of water to rinse your razor. 
 Amount saved: three gallons each day

• When washing dishes by hand, use the least amount of detergent possible. This minimizes rinse water needed.  
Amount saved: 50 to 150 gallons a month

• Keep a bottle of drinking water in the refrigerator. This beats the wasteful habit of running tap water to cool it for drinking.
  Amount saved: 200 to 300 gallons a month

• Don't let the faucet run while you clean vegetables. Rinse them in a filled sink or pan.
  Amount saved: 150 to 250 gallons a month

• Use the garbage disposal less and the garbage more (even better-compost!)
  Amount saved: 50 to 150 gallons a month

• Fix leaky faucets and plumbing joints.
  Amount saved: up to 20 gallons per day for every leak stopped

• If you wash dishes by hand, don't leave the water running for rinsing. If you have two sinks, fill one with rinse water. If you only have one sink, use a spray device or short blasts instead of letting the water run.
  Amount saved: 200 to 500 gallons a month

• Don't defrost frozen foods with running water. Either plan ahead by placing frozen items in the refrigerator overnight or defrost them in the microwave. 
Amount saved: 50 to 150 gallons a month

• Water during the cool parts of the day. Early morning is better than dusk since it helps prevent the growth of fungus. 
Amount saved: 300 gallons monthly