Water conservation is not only about saving water. Heating and pumping water requires chemicals and energy. When we waste less water, we conserve fuel and reduce the pollution generated by burning fuel and treating water with chemicals. Taking these and other steps and encouraging others to do so, makes good economic as well as environmental sense. A PDF of the information on this page is available here.

Where to begin…

  • Repair leaky faucets, indoors and out.
  • Consider replacing old equipment (like toilets, dishwashers and laundry machines). When you buy a new toilet, purchase a low flow model (1.6 gallons or less per flush).
  • Check your toilet for "silent" leaks by placing a little food coloring in the tank and seeing if it leaks into the bowl.

In the Kitchen

  • When cooking, rinse vegetables in a large bowl of water instead of under running water.
  • Fill your sink or basin when washing and rinsing dishes.
  • Only run the dishwasher when it's full. When buying a dishwasher, select one with a "light-wash" option.
  • Only use the garbage disposal when necessary (composting is a great alternative).
  • Install faucet aerators.
  • Keep a gallon of drinking water in the refrigerator rather than running the tap for cold water.

In the Bathroom

  • Take short showers instead of baths.
  • Turn off the water to brush teeth, shave and soap up in the shower. Fill the sink to shave.
  • Install a toilet dam, faucet aerators and low-flow showerheads.
  • Install a water-efficient showerhead (2.5 gallons or less per minute).

Laundry

  • Run your washing machine with a full load of clothes. Wash with warm water instead of hot, rinse with cold water instead of warm. Wash with cold water when you can. Save more energy by (when possible) hanging wash out to dry.
  • When purchasing a new washing machine, buy a water saving model that can be adjusted to the load size.

Outdoors

  • Maximize the use of natural vegetation and establish smaller lawns. For portions of your lot where a lawn and landscaping are desired, ask your local nursery for tips about plants and grasses with low water demand. Consider planting more trees, shrubs, ground covers, and less grass. Shrubs and ground covers provide greenery for much of the year and usually demand less water. Use native plants in flower beds. Native plants have adapted to local rainfall conditions and often provide good wildlife habitat. Cluster plants that require extra care together to minimize time and save water.
  • Only water the lawn when necessary. Get our watering tips here.
  • Apply mulch around shrubs and flower beds to reduce evaporation, promote plant growth and control weeds.
  • Add compost or an organic matter to soil as necessary, to improve soil conditions and water retention.
  • Install a rain barrel to harvest rain for plant use. MUB partners with Friends of Deckers Creek to offer a series of rain barrel workshops every spring. Monitor our websites and social media pages for announcements regarding time and location of these classes.
  • Wash your car less often or wash it at a car wash where they clean and recycle the water. If you do wash your car at home, use a bucket of soapy water rather than running the hose. Keep a spring-loaded nozzle on the hose.
  • Use a broom instead of a hose to clean off your driveway or sidewalk.

Remember: Saving water saves energy, an environmental win-win