Most of us take for granted an abundant supply of good, fresh water.  We meet our daily needs when we turn on the faucet and get seemingly unlimited running water.  However, this situation is changing as more and more communities face water shortages.

Conservation is everyone’s responsibility.  Water shortages are real, touching many United States communities each year.  Because water conservation is a good defense against shortages, it should happen all the time, not just when shortages occur.

There are many ways to save water in and around your home.  Here are some that might get the best results:

• Stop leaks
• Replace old toilets with models that use 1.6 gallons or less per flush
• Replace old clothes washers with EPA Energy Star certified models
• Plant the right kind of garden that requires less water
• Provide only the water the plants need
• When washing dishes by hand, don’t let the water run while rinsing. Fill one sink with wash water and another with rinse water
• Run your clothes washer and dishwasher only when they are full. You can save up to 1,000 gallons a month
• When buying new appliances, consider those that offer cycle and load adjustments. They’re both water and energy efficient
• Shorten your shower by a minute or two and you’ll save up to 150 gallons per month. Use a water efficient shower head and you can save up to 750 gallons a month
• Teach everyone in your household to turn off faucets tightly after each use

Typical usage:

• Shower – 25-50 gallons (5-10 gallons/minute)
• Bath – 36 gallons (full tub)
• Toilet flush – 5-7 gallons (less with new low-flow toilets!)
• Brushing teeth – 2 gallons (tap running)
• Hand washing – 2 gallons (tap running)
• Shaving – 3-5 gallons (tap running)
• Dish washing – 20 gallons (tap running)
• Automatic dishwasher – 12 gallons (full cycle)
• Clothes washer – 30-60 gallons (full cycle)
• Outdoor watering – 5-10 gallons per minutes