Although conserving water might sound complicated or stressful, you can reduce your water usage significantly through small, common-sense changes that won't affect your quality of life. Any minor inconvenience caused by these water-saving measures is outweighed by the benefits of helping the environment and reducing your water bill.
Maintain Water-Related Fixtures
Carefully maintain all water-related fixtures in your home, recommends the Global Development Research Center. If a faucet leaks, fix it quickly. Periodically check your toilets and water pipes for leaks, and repair any leaks that you find. Call a plumber if necessary.
Upgrade Appliances and Fixtures
Buy low-flow appliances and add-ons for your home, especially when your appliances begin to leak or age, since older appliances use more water than newer models. Using water-conserving shower heads, toilets, washing machines, and dishwashers will significantly reduce your water use even if you continue using the appliances just as often. To reduce your water use further, the U.S. Environment Protection Agency recommends adding aerators to all faucets and installing pressure-reducing valves in the water pipes in your home.
Run Full Loads
Run your dishwasher and washing machines only when they are full, advises the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. If you run a smaller load of laundry, lower the water-level setting of the machine.
Save Used Water
Save the water you use to wash clothes, dishes, and even yourself, recommends the EPA. Although the water is no longer appropriate for human use, it's perfect for watering your lawns and gardens. The Nature Conservancy also advises collecting rainwater--for example, by putting a bucket under a rain gutter--and using it to water your yard.
Change Personal Habits
Take shorter showers and turn off the water while using soap and shampoo. If you take baths, plug the tub before starting the water. Don't run the water in the sink while brushing your teeth or shaving, and if you fill the sink to rinse your razor, don't fill it higher than necessary. Wash dishes in a sink full of water, rather than under a running faucet. Flush the toilet less frequently--for example, don't flush it when you only urinate.
Water the Lawn Carefully
Water your lawn in the morning or evening and set your lawn mower to the highest setting, rather than cutting the grass short. Otherwise, you'll lose water to evaporation caused by the sun. Don't water the lawn too frequently. In the summer, aim for every other day or less, and in the winter, water every week or week and a half. If it rains, skip at least one watering. Don't overwater in a single day, either.
Pay for Car Washes
Get your car cleaned at a professional car wash, advises the Nature Conservancy, because a car wash uses significantly less water than you would use doing it yourself with a hose. If you must wash your car by hand, do it on the lawn to combine car washing with lawn watering, the Global Development Research Center suggests.
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