Saving water is easy and smart.

1. Stop those leaks.

• Verify that your home is leak-free. Many homes have hidden water leaks that can waste more than 10 percent, costing both you and the environment. Read your water meter before and after a two-hour period where no water is being used. If the meter does not read exactly the same, you probably have a leak.
• Repair dripping faucets and showers. If your faucet is dripping at the rate of one drop per second, you can expect to waste 2,700 gallons per year. This waste will add to the cost of water and sewer utilities or strain your septic system.

2. Use your appliances wisely.

• Wash only full loads or set small loads to the appropriate water level.
• Scrape rather than rinse dishes before loading them into the dishwasher.
• Replace old clothes washers with Energy Star qualified appliances that use less water.

3. Don't flush your money down the drain/Toilets.

• A leaky toilet can waste 200 gallons of water per day. Check your toilet for leaks by adding food coloring to the tank. If the toilet is leaking, color will appear in the bowl within 15 minutes. Look for worn out, corroded or bent parts in the leaky toilet. Most replacement parts are inexpensive, readily available and easily installed. (Flush as soon as test is done, since food coloring may stain the tank.)
• When replacing your toilet, look for high-efficiency models that use less than 1.3 gallons per flush.

4. Conserve around the house.

• Keep drinking water in the refrigerator instead of letting the faucet run until cool. A running tap can use about 2 gallons of water per minute.
• Try not to leave the tap running while you brush your teeth or shave.
• Don't pour water down the drain if you can use it for other projects such as watering a plant or cleaning.

5. Be smart when irrigating your lawn or landscape. (When watering is allowed.)

• Water the lawn or garden during the coolest part of the day. Early morning is best.
• Water plants according to their water needs; you'll have healthier plants and a lower water bill.
• Set sprinklers to water lawns and gardens only—not the street or sidewalk.
• Use soaker hoses or trickle irrigation systems for trees and shrubs.

From epa.gov

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