Water shortages are affecting communities nationwide, even leading to legal battles between states. Increasing water rates, water availability crises, and an increasing population have led to a focus on families reducing their household water use. You can help your community and your family’s budget with these systematically identified steps.
Bathroom Routines
Brushing your teeth while the water is running can use about four gallons, with shaving using even more. Turning the water off while you brush and then on again to rinse can use only a quarter gallon or less. A touchless faucet can do the on-and-off work automatically! Pressure-assisted toilets keep the bowl clean with less water, and today’s shower heads are more enjoyable to use thanks to higher-pressure designs. Running the water to get it hot enough uses a lot, but an in-bathroom tankless heater can speed up your morning routine.
1. Shorter showers and improved shower head installation
2. Shut off sink water during shaving and washing, and use motion-sensor controls
3. Toilet flush improvements, including reduced flush volume and pressure-assisted toilets
4. Shorter hot water runs and local water heaters to reduce “warm up” waits and water waste
5. Target heavily used bathrooms with water use reduction equipment first!
Kitchen Habits

Older dishwashers not only are much louder to operate but have fewer water-saving options. A modern dishwasher gives you a chance to designate the type of cleaning necessary and how much water is needed. Make sure you run full loads when possible, and think about running a rinse cycle to avoid dried-on food that’s difficult to wash off later. Since water needs to flow while you’re using your garbage disposal to avoid jams, preparing material to grind and then proceeding in bulk is better than intermittent disposal while the water runs!
6. Install a dishwasher with multiple water-saving cycles
7. Gather dishes, garbage for disposal, pot and pan washing for efficient water use
8. Install a sink and spray to maximize kitchen cleanup effectiveness
9. Add a bar sink for occasional low-volume use
10. Install a more powerful disposal for faster processing
Laundry Routines
How much water does your family use in the laundry room? It depends on the number of people, their activities, and preferences about their clothing and linens. It’s easy to do the math and predict your weekly water usage for laundry, and also to determine potential savings from a change in washing machines. A typical top-loading washing machine can use 30-40 gallons per load, while a front-loading high efficiency (HE) model can use as little as 7-10. For a large, active family, this is an important area to focus for water savings!
11. Use detergent and water softener equipment to improve laundry effectiveness
12. Run full loads of laundry with appropriate water temperature
13. Pre-soak to improve results on tough laundry
14. Install a washer with water-saving cycles and learn to use them
15. Adjust habits for bathroom, bedroom, and kitchen linen washing
Landscaping Watering
Making sure that water for your plants gets to its intended beneficiaries is tricky but important. If you have a landscaping company, they can help you save on water used by existing plants. They’ll also design and change to a more water-efficient landscaping design that’s right for your area. Local water supplies depend on careful usage and also avoiding contamination of rivers, aquifers, and other sources. Find out about your local water supply and how to care for it, including low-water landscaping plants that are right for your area.
16. Use landscaping plants with appropriate water use for your area
17. If additional water is required, use watering habits to minimize waste
18. Install sprinklers, timers, and coverage areas to minimize water waste
19. Make sure soil quality retains water
20. Collect rainwater for landscaping if locally allowed
Plumbing Maintenance
Your plumber is your expert on modern water-saving fixtures and appliances. You can also rely on plumbing experts to identify hidden and major water-wasting leaks, from aging pipes under the concrete slab to those in walls and underground. Inspection helps, and today’s technology just listens for water sneaking out. Checking fixtures for trouble can also save significant amounts of lost water from toilets, loose faucets, and washing machine connections.
21. Have plumber inspect for leaks and test for hidden ones
22. Keep fixtures and appliances well-maintained
23. Make sure the water supply is in good condition
24. Ask about the latest fixtures and water heaters which minimize water use
25. Use water usage monitors to know where you stand
Create a plan that takes into consideration your water usage and waste in each of these important areas of your home life, and you can have a broad effect on your family’s water usage. Good habits are important, but water-use designs are particularly easy to implement! Make sure to measure your water usage as you make changes, and see which areas are most productive to address. Enjoy the savings, and your environment will, too!
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