Bathroom

  • If your shower can fill a one-gallon bucket in less than 20 seconds, then replace it with a water-efficient showerhead.
  • Turn off the faucet while washing your hands, brushing your teeth shaving and rinsing dishes.
  • Keep your showers short or only shower every other day.
  • Install a low-flow showerhead and catch the water in a bucket while you wait for the water to warm up-this water may be used later to water your plants.
  • Collect the water you use for rinsing produce and reuse it to water houseplants.
  • Time your shower to keep it under 5 minutes. You'll save up to 1,000 gallons a month.
  • Install low-volume toilets
  • Put food coloring in your toilet tank. If it seeps into the toilet bowl, you have a leak. It's easy to fix, and you can save more than 600 gallons a month
  • Plug the bathtub before turning the water on, then adjust the temperature as the tub fills up.
  • Before you lather up, install a low-flow showerhead. They're inexpensive, easy to install, and can save your family more than 500 gallons a week.
  • When you are washing your hands, don't let the water run while you lather.
  • Keep a bucket in the shower to catch water as it warms up or runs. Use this water to flush toilets, water plants, or even top off the laundry machine.
  • Don't brush your teeth while in the shower; this wastes several gallons per day.
  • Bathe your young children together.
  • Turn off the water while you shave and you can save more than 100 gallons a week.
  • Teach your children to turn the faucets off tightly after each use.
  • Make sure your toilet flapper doesn't stick open after flushing.
  • Next time you add or replace a flower or shrub, choose a low water use plant for year-round landscape color and save up to 550 gallons each year.
  • Make sure there are aerators on all of your faucets.
  • Install low-flow water devices like a WaterSense labeled toilet.
  • Turn off the water while you brush your teeth and save 4 gallons a minute. That's 200 gallons a week for a family of four.
  • Turn the water off while you shampoo and condition your hair, or while shaving, and you can save more than 50 gallons a week.
  • 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.