Water Wise Tips

Saving water is an important step in making sure there is enough water now and for future generations. Reducing water use inside and outside our homes is really important. Please take a moment to review the following water wise tips to help save our most precious resource WATER!

*Prevent water waste by checking for leaks in the kitchen, bathroom and laundry areas. Look for worn toilet flappers, dripping faucets, and other leaking valves and fix as soon as possible.

Kitchen

• While waiting for the tap water to heat up, capture the cool water in a bucket to use later for cooking or watering plants. Saves 2 or more gallons per minute.
• Collect the water you use while rinsing fruit and vegetables or wash them in a small pan of water instead of running the tap. Use leftover water to water plants.
• Don't use running water to thaw food. Defrost food in the refrigerator.
• Fill a pitcher of tap water and place it in your refrigerator. This will save running tap water while it cools.
• If you accidentally drop ice cubes, don t throw them in the sink. Drop them in a house plant instead.
• Use the garbage disposal sparingly. Instead place unwanted food items in the garbage.
• Scrape dirty dishes and /or pans instead of running water to rinse them off before placing them in the dishwasher.
• Run the dishwasher only when full to save water and energy. Install a water and energy efficient dishwasher. Saves 3 to 8 gallons per load.
• Wash dishes in a plastic bowl in the sink and use that water on your plants.
• Instead of throwing ice into your sink, use it on plants or in your garden.
• Serve meals from pots instead of a serving dish. Saves washing an extra dish.

Bathroom

• Turn off the tap when brushing teeth, washing your face or shaving. Saves 2 gallons or more per minute.
• Plug the sink instead of running the water to rinse your razor. Save: Up to 300 gallons a month.
• When washing your hands, turn the water off while you lather.
• Check for toilet leaks. You can pick up a toilet dye tab at ETWD or put several drops of food coloring (do not use red food dye) in your toilet tank. If the color seeps into the bowl without flushing, there is a leak. Replacing the toilet flapper valve will most likely fix the leak. Saves thousands of gallons per year.
• Don't use the toilet as a wastebasket. Depending on your toilet you can save from 1.08 to 6 gallons per flush.
• Install a high efficiency or premium high efficiency toilet. Saves 38 gallons per toilet per day.
• Take 5 minute showers instead of 10 minute showers. Save 2.5 gallons per minute.
• Turn off the water while washing your hair. Save : Up to 150 gallons a month.
• Recycle your shower water by capturing that water in a bucket and use to water plants.
• Take a (short) shower instead of a bath. A bathtub can use up to 70 gallons or more of water.
• Fill bathtubs halfway or less when giving children a bath.
• Install low flow showerheads. Saves 2.5 Gallons per minute or 750 gallons per month.

Laundry

• Wash only full loads of laundry in the washing machine. Save water and energy. Saves 30 gallons per load.
• Install a water efficient clothes washer.