In addition to saving money on your utility bill, water conservation helps prevent water pollution in nearby lakes, rivers and local watersheds. At the MD, we encourage all residents to use the water they need, but not waste it. As shown below, there are at least a hundred simple, practical ways we can save water.
Prolong your
PUMP LIFE
An average household will run about 650 pump cycles per year. Over time, above average water usage may cause premature wear of the pump. A leaky toilet, for example, can cause approximately 440 extra pump cycles per year, cutting the life expectancy of your pump considerably.
1
Monitor your water bill for unusually high use. Your bill and water meter are tools that can help you discover leaks.
2
Adjust sprinklers so only your lawn is watered and not the house, sidewalk, or street.
3
Install covers on pools and spas and check for leaks around your pumps.
4
For cold drinks keep a pitcher of water in the refrigerator instead of running the tap. This way, every drop goes down you and not the drain.
5
Wash your fruits and vegetables in a pan of water instead of running water from the tap.
6
If your shower fills a one-gallon bucket in less than 20 seconds, replace the showerhead with a water-efficient model.
7
We're more likely to notice leaks indoors, but don't forget to check outdoor faucets, sprinklers and hoses for leaks.
8
When buying new appliances, consider those that offer cycle and load size adjustments. They're more water and energy efficient.
9
Adjust your lawn mower to a higher setting. A taller lawn shades roots and holds soil moisture better than if it is closely clipped.
10
Put food coloring in your toilet tank. If it seeps into the toilet bowl without flushing, you have a leak. Fixing it can save up to 1,000 gallons a month.
11
Collect water from your roof to water your garden.
12
Install a rain sensor on your irrigation controller so your system won't run when it's raining.
13
Grab a wrench and fix that leaky faucet. It's simple, inexpensive, and you can save 140 gallons a week.
14
Teach your children to turn off faucets tightly after each use.
15
Soak pots and pans instead of letting the water run while you scrape them clean.
16
Know where your master water shut-off valve is located. This could save water and prevent damage to your home.
17
Use a layer of organic material on the surface of your planting beds to minimize weed growth that competes for water.
18
Use a commercial car wash that recycles water.
19
Use a rain gauge, or empty tuna can, to track rainfall on your lawn. Then reduce your watering accordingly.
20
Set a kitchen timer when watering your lawn or garden to remind you when to stop. A running hose can discharge up to 10 gallons a minute.
21
Next time you add or replace a flower or shrub, choose a low water use plant for year-round landscape color and save up to 550 gallons each year.
22
If your dishwasher is new, cut back on rinsing. Newer models clean more thoroughly than older ones.
23
When you save water, you save money on your utility bills too. Saving water is easy for everyone to do.
24
Bathe your young children together.
25
Insulate hot water pipes for more immediate hot water at the faucet and for energy savings.
26
Direct water from rain gutters and HVAC systems toward water-loving plants in the landscape for automatic water savings.
27
Use a hose nozzle or turn off the water while you wash your car. You'll save up to 100 gallons every time.
28
Setting cooling systems and water softeners for a minimum number of refills saves both water and chemicals, plus more on utility bills.
29
Report broken pipes, open hydrants and errant sprinklers to the property owner or your water provider.
30
Use sprinklers that deliver big drops of water close to the ground. Smaller water drops and mist often evaporate before they hit the ground.
31
One more way to get eight glasses of water a day is to re-use the water left over from cooked or steamed foods to start a scrumptious and nutritious soup.
32
One more way to get eight glasses of water a day is to re-use the water left over from cooked or steamed foods to start a scrumptious and nutritious soup.
33
Aerate your lawn at least once a year so water can reach the roots rather than run off the surface.
34
Turn off the water while you shave and save up to 300 gallons a month.
35
When washing dishes by hand, don't let the water run while rinsing. Fill one sink with wash water and the other with rinse water.
36
Run your clothes washer and dishwasher only when they are full. You can save up to 1,000 gallons a month.
37
Use the garbage disposal sparingly. Compost vegetable food waste instead and save gallons every time.
38
While staying in a hotel or even at home, consider reusing your towels.
39
Spreading a layer of organic mulch around plants retains moisture and saves water, time and money.
40
Collect the water you use for rinsing fruits and vegetables, then reuse it to water houseplants.
41
If you have an automatic refilling device, check your pool periodically for leaks.
42
Shorten your shower by a minute or two and you'll save up to 150 gallons per month.
43
When cleaning out fish tanks, give the nutrient-rich water to your plants.
44
When running a bath, plug the tub before turning the water on, then adjust the temperature as the tub fills up.
45
Designate one glass for your drinking water each day or refill a water bottle. This will cut down on the number of glasses to wash.
46
Don't use running water to thaw food. Defrost food in the refrigerator for water efficiency and food safety.
47
Reduce the amount of lawn in your yard by planting shrubs and ground covers appropriate to your site and region.
48
Remember to check your sprinkler system valves periodically for leaks and keep the sprinkler heads in good shape.
49
Don't water your lawn on windy days when most of the water blows away or evaporates.
50
To decrease water from being wasted on sloping lawns, apply water for five minutes and then repeat two to three times.
51
Use a minimum amount of organic or slow release fertilizer to promote a healthy and drought tolerant landscape.
52
Avoid recreational water toys that require a constant flow of water.
53
Encourage your school system and local government to develop and promote water conservation among children and adults.
54
If your toilet flapper doesn't close after flushing, replace it.
55
Install an instant water heater near your kitchen sink so you don't have to run the water while it heats up. This also reduces energy costs.
56
Use a trowel, shovel, or soil probe to examine soil moisture depth. If the top two to three inches of soil are dry it's time to water.
57
When the kids want to cool off, use the sprinkler in an area where your lawn needs it the most.
58
Consult with your local nursery for information on plant selection and placement for optimum outdoor water savings.
59
Wash your car on the lawn, and you'll water your lawn at the same time.
60
Make suggestions to your employer about ways to save water and money at work.
61
Share water conservation tips with friends and neighbors.
62
Washing dark clothes in cold water saves both on water and energy while it helps your clothes to keep their colors.
63
Let your lawn go dormant during the summer. Dormant grass only needs to be watered every three weeks or less if it rains.
64
Listen for dripping faucets and running toilets. Fixing a leak can save 300 gallons a month or more.
65
Adjust your watering schedule each month to match seasonal weather conditions and landscape requirements.
66
When shopping for a new clothes washer, compare resource savings among Energy Star models. Some of these can save up to 20 gallons per load, and energy too.
67
When washing dishes by hand, fill the sink basin or a large container and rinse when all of the dishes have been soaped and scrubbed.
68
Some refrigerators, air conditioners and ice-makers are cooled with wasted flows of water. Consider upgrading with air-cooled appliances for significant water savings.
69
Choose shrubs and groundcovers instead of turf for hard-to-water areas such as steep slopes and isolated strips.
70
Plant in the fall when conditions are cooler and rainfall is more plentiful.
71
Water your lawn and garden in the morning or evening when temperatures are cooler to minimize evaporation.
72
Use a broom instead of a hose to clean your driveway and sidewalk and save water every time.
73
If water runs off your lawn easily, split your watering time into shorter periods to allow for better absorption.
74
Check the root zone of your lawn or garden for moisture before watering using a spade or trowel. If it's still moist two inches under the soil surface, you still have enough water.
75
Upgrade older toilets with water efficient models.
76
Use sprinklers for large areas of grass. Water small patches by hand to avoid waste.
77
Walkways and patios provide space that doesn't ever need to be watered. These useful "rooms" can also add value to your property.
78
Rather than following a set watering schedule, check for soil moisture two to three inches below the surface before watering.
79
Use drip irrigation for shrubs and trees to apply water directly to the roots where it's needed.
80
Leave lower branches on trees and shrubs and allow leaf litter to accumulate on the soil. This keeps the soil cooler and reduces evaporation.
81
Use a water-efficient showerhead. They're inexpensive, easy to install, and can save you up to 750 gallons a month.
82
Water your plants deeply but less frequently to encourage deep root growth and drought tolerance.
83
Group plants with the same watering needs together to avoid overwatering some while underwatering others.
84
Trickling or cascading fountains lose less water to evaporation than those spraying water into the air.
83
Turn off the water while brushing your teeth and save 25 gallons a month.
86
Learn how to shut off your automatic watering system in case it malfunctions or you get an unexpected rain.
87
Make sure there are water-saving aerators on all of your faucets.
88
Use a grease pencil to mark the water level of your pool at the skimmer. Check the mark 24 hours later to see if you have a leak.
89
If installing a lawn, select a turf mix or blend that matches your climate and site conditions.
90
Make sure your swimming pools, fountains, and ponds are equipped with recirculating pumps.
91
Winterize outdoor spigots when temperatures dip below freezing to prevent pipes from leaking or bursting.
92
Drop your tissue in the trash instead of flushing it and save water every time.
93
Water only when necessary. More plants die from over-watering than from under-watering.
94
Support projects that use reclaimed wastewater for irrigation and industrial uses.
95
If your toilet was installed before 1992, reduce the amount of water used for each flush by inserting a displacement device in the tank.
96
When doing laundry, match the water level to the size of the load.
97
Plant with finished compost to add water-holding and nutrient-rich organic matter to the soil.
98
Turn off the water while you wash your hair to save up to 150 gallons a month.
99
Apply water only as fast as the soil can absorb it.
100
Catch water in an empty tuna can to measure sprinkler output. One inch of water on one square foot of grass equals two-thirds of a gallon of water.
