Drinking water is a very precious resource and should be used in moderation. Excess, unnecessary water use not only depletes the current supply of water but can also wreak havoc on your water bill. Learning to use the water available to us effectively and efficiently can help the environment and your wallet! There are four basic strategies for conserving water both inside and outside of the home:

Economize
Repair leaks
Install water-saving devices
Reuse water

CONSERVATION IN THE HOME

Don’t use the toilet to flush anything that should go in the garbage can - 2 to 7 gallons of water go into the sewer every time a toilet is flushed.
Cut down on shower time - most showers use 5 to 10 gallons of water a minute.
Turn the water off while shaving or brushing your teeth.
Make sure the dishwasher is completely full before running it - most dishwashers use about 12 gallons of water per run.
Don’t use the washing machine until you have a full load, or set your machine for a smaller load - most washing machines use in excess of 40 gallons of water per load.
Fix leaks! Many leaks can waste up to 20 gallons of water a day. A leaky toilet running ¼ gallon per minute equals 360 gallons per day.
Know where your main shutoff valve is in case you ever need to turn off the water supply to your house.
Know where other shutoff valves are. Sinks, toilets and other fixtures usually have their own.

CONSERVATION OUTSIDE THE HOME

Water plants only when they need it, not on a fixed schedule. Avoid watering in direct sunlight or when it’s very hot. The water is more likely to evaporate rather than be absorbed by the plants.
Keep your lawn and garden weed-free. Weeds are water hogs!
Allow water to soak in slowly. Don’t try for a quick drowning, as the water will likely just evaporate.
Never leave the sprinkler running all day. Outdoor spigots can pump out 5 to 10 gallons a minute.
When washing your car, use a bucket of soapy water and save the hose for rinsing.
Don’t clean your driveway with the hose - a broom can do the same job!