Saving water not only protects a scarce resource, it also saves money. You can invest in water efficient toilets, shower heads and faucets to save water. You can also find clever ways to save water around your home and when working outdoors by looking at the ways you use water with fresh eyes.
Toilets
About one-third of the water used in homes is flushed down the toilet, According to the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority. You can save water by replacing older toilets with more efficient models. If you prefer not to replace a toilet, fill plastic bottles with sand or water and place them in the toilet's tank, away from the working parts. This method saves water with each flush, equal to the amount of water displaced by the filled bottle. Ensure that the tank refills with at least 3 gallons for efficient waste removal from the bowl.
A clever way to identify toilet leaks is to place two or three drops of a dark food coloring in your toilet's tank. If after 30 minutes the color has leaked into the toilet bowl, your toilet has a leak that can be repaired to save water.
Exercise flush restraint. Instead of flushing a facial tissue or bit of trash down the toilet, put it in a wastebasket and only flush the toilet after you have used it.
Bathroom Sinks, Showers, Tubs
Save water by turning the tap off while brushing your teeth or washing your hands. When shaving, fill the sink and rinse your razor in this water rather than under the tap. Take a shorter shower or turn the water off while you are washing your hair, and save water by only filling the bathtub partially full.
These simple steps can save significant amounts of water, according to the New York City Department of Environmental Protection. Bathroom faucets release up to 3 gallons of water per minute, and showers use up to 7 gallons per minute. By filling your tub only halfway, you save 10 to 15 gallons of water, depending upon the size of your tub.
Outdoors
Save water and time through clever garden design. Choose plants and grasses that are native to your area and require little water, and use a simple rain gauge to determine when you need to water. Place mulch around plants to help the soil retain moisture, and use drip watering hoses or micro-irrigation systems so that water is applied to plant root systems, where it is needed. Or, capture rainwater in a barrel and use a sprinkling can to water your plants.
The government of Victoria, Australia, recommends adding organic matter, such as compost or rotted manure to your soil to help it retain water. An added benefit is that organic matter can also improve the health of your plants.
Sweep porches, sidewalks and driveways rather than rinsing them with a hose. Choose car washes that recycle their water, or wash your car with a sponge and bucket, turning the hose off or closing the nozzle when water is not needed, as recommended by the Environmental Protection Agency.
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