Choose water-efficient products and test your WaterSense - A family of four uses 400 gallons of water every day. EPA's WaterSense program helps conserve water for future generations by providing information on products and programs that save water without sacrificing performance.
More steps you can take:
- Don't let the water run while shaving or brushing teeth.
- Take short showers instead of tub baths.
- Keep drinking water in the refrigerator instead of letting the faucet run until the water is cool.
- Scrape, rather than rinse, dishes before loading into the dishwasher; wash only full loads.
- Wash only full loads of laundry or use the appropriate water level or load size selection on the washing machine.
- Buy high-efficient plumbing fixtures & appliances.
- Repair all leaks (a leaky toilet can waste 200 gallons a day).
- Water the lawn or garden during the coolest part of the day (early morning is best).
- Water plants differently according to what they need. Check with your local extension service or nurseries for advice.
- Set sprinklers to water the lawn or garden only - not the street or sidewalk.
- Use soaker hoses or trickle irrigation systems for trees and shrubs.
- Keep your yard healthy - dethatch, use mulch, etc.
- Sweep outside instead of using a hose.
- Landscape using "rain garden" techniques to save water and reduce stormwater runoff.
