How much water do I use?

5 Minute Shower
regular shower head -30 Gallons
low-flow shower head/restrictor-15 gallons
wet down, rinse off- 4 Gallons

Toilet Flushing
conventional toilet – 5 to 7 gallons per flush
displacement bag – 4 to 6 gallons per flush
ultra-low flush toilet – 1.5 gallons per flush

Brushing Teeth
tap running – 10 gallons
wet brush rinse briefly – ½ gallon or less

Tub Bath
full tub – 60 gallons
minimal water level – ½ gallon or less

Shaving
tap running – 20 gallons
fill basin – 1 gallon

Washing Hands
tap running – 20 gallons
soap and rinse – 1 gallon or less

Dishwashing
tap running – 30 gallons
wash and rinse in dishpan or sink – 5 gallons

Automatic Dishwashing
full cycle – 15 gallons
short cycle – 1.1 gallons

Washing Machine
full cycle – 60 gallons
short cycle and minimal water level – 25 gallons

30 Things You Can Do To Save Water

1. Shorten your shower. A one or two minute reduction can save up to 700 gallons of water each month. If possible, take a shallow bath instead of a shower for even greater savings.
2. Replace your showerheads with low-flow showerheads or install flow restrictors. Both can be found at your local hardware store.
3. Put trash in the wastebasket, cigarettes in an ashtray – don’t flush! Each time you flush a small bit of trash, you waste five to seven gallons of water.
4. Check for leaks in your toilets. Drop a dye tablet in your toilet tank, or add a few drops of food coloring. If the color begins to appear in the bowl, without flushing, your toilet has a leak that could be wasting thousands of gallons of water per year. Repair those leaks!
5. When brushing your teeth, wet your toothbrush, then turn off the water.
6. Rinse your razor in a partially filled sink instead of under a running tap.
7. Check faucets and pipes for leaks. Replace worn washers- even a small drop from a worn washer can waste 20 or more gallons a day. Larger leaks can waste hundreds.
8. Put a plastic bottle in your toilet tank. Fill the bottle with water and a small amount of pebbles (to weigh it down) and place in your tank, away from the operating mechanisms. Your plastic bottle can save you 10 or more gallons each day.
9. While waiting for your bath water to get warm, place a bucket under the faucet to catch the cold water. Use later to water your houseplants.
10. Building or remodeling your home? Ask your builder to install ultra-low flush toilets and faucets.
11. Keep a bottle of water in the refrigerator for drinking. Don’t run the tap waiting for cold water.
12. Rinse vegetables in a pan of water- not under a running faucet.
13. Use your dishwasher and washing machine for full loads only.
14. Never leave the water running if you wash dishes by hand. Fill one sink with soapy water and one with rinse water. If you have only one basin, use a dish rack and rinse with hot water.
15. Use the smallest amount of detergent possible when washing dishes by hand. This reduces the amount of rinse water needed.
16. Check your Kitchen/Bath pipes and faucets for leaks and replace worn washers immediately.
17. Use garbage disposal less and the garbage more often.
18. Defrost frozen foods in the microwave or refrigerator, instead of under running water.
19. Water your lawn in the early morning or evening when there is less chance of evaporation.
20. Plant drought resistant native trees and plants. There are many beautiful plants and trees that thrive on smaller amounts of water.
21. Don’t let your children play with the hose and sprinklers.
22. Place a layer of mulch around trees and plants. Mulch slows evaporation of moisture and discourages weed growth.
23. Don’t water your lawn on a windy day to prevent excessive evaporation.
24. Set lawn mower blades one notch higher since longer grass means less evaporation.
25. Don’t water the sidewalk. Adjust the sprinkler so they miss the sidewalk, street and driveway and hit the grass for a free drink.
26. If you have a pool, use a pool cover to cut down on the evaporation.
27. Water only when your lawn really needs it. If the grass springs back after you step on it, there’s no need to water. If you would like to install a water efficient irrigation system, call al landscape architect- 85% of landscape problems are directly related to over-watering.
28. Check for leaks in hoses, faucets, pipes, and couplings. Outside leaks can waste just as much and sometimes more water than those on the inside.
29. Sweep sidewalks and driveways, don’t hose them down.
30. Wash your car with a pail of soapy water – not a running hose. Use the hose for rinsing only.