In Your Home

• Purchase equipment to conserve water around your home. Install water-saving shower heads and faucets. Consider installing a dishwasher in your kitchen. Doing one full load of dishes in a dishwasher uses water more efficiently than scrubbing dishes by hand. Shut off water when not in use: use a full sink to rinse your razor while shaving, turn off the water while brushing your teeth, switch off the shower while lathering up with soap and shampoo, and rinse your vegetables or fruits in a container of water rather than running water. Don't waste water adjusting temperature. Start filling your tub even as the water is transitioning from cold to hot instead of letting the cold water go to waste. Keep a pitcher of water in the refrigerator so it always stays cold instead of turning on the faucet and waiting for it to get cold. Never neglect to fix leaks in your home plumbing. Even tiny leaks can waste gallons of water over time.
  
  

In Your Yard

• Water your lawn only when necessary and only during the night or early morning. If you water your lawn during the heat of the day, much of the water will instantly be lost to evaporation. Never water your lawn when your local state or county has declared a drought and has water restrictions in place. Install a drip irrigation system in your garden for more efficient watering. Mulch your garden to keep water locked in to the soil.
  Consider making or purchasing a rain barrel. Rain barrels collect up to 632 gallons of water per 1 inch of rain falling on a 1,000-square-foot roof. Water can be stored for later use or slowly released through a hose into a nearby garden, similar to drip irrigation.
  When you absolutely have to use a hose, attach a trigger nozzle so you can easily regulate the flow of water. Make sure the connection from the hose to the faucet is tight and leak-free.
  Use water from your rain barrel for other tasks, such as cleaning windows, porches, or cars. Also consider taking your car to a commercial car wash, as they tend to use water more efficiently and recycle the water.