In the Kitchen

Conservation methods that are free to implement
• Chill a pitcher of water in the refrigerator for cold drinking water. A running faucet can waste three to five gallons of water per minute (gpm).

• When cleaning vegetables, soak them first in a basin of water rather than rinsing them under running water. The water can then be reused for indoor or outdoor plants.

• Use a vegetable brush instead of running water to clean your fruits and vegetables.

• Run your dishwasher only when full. If you have a small amount of dishes, hand wash them. When hand washing dishes, don't let the water run continuously. Use a separate basin or sink for rinse water.

• Don't use the dishwasher's dry cycle. This uses a lot of energy. Instead, let your dishes air dry.

• Soak pots, pans and dishes immediately after they are used or use a spatula to scrape off food rather than using water.

• Recycle left over drinking water to water plants or soak dirty dishes.

• Be sparing in your disposal use. Garbage disposals require quite a lot of water to keep them debris free.

• Plan ahead to thaw frozen foods. Place them in the refrigerator ahead of time or use the microwave.

Conservation methods that are less than $50
• For less than $5, aerators can reduce water faucet output to two gallons per minute or less, saving you money on your water and energy bills.

In the Bathroom

Conservation methods that are free to implement
• Turn off the water while shaving, brushing your teeth, washing your face, etc. This could save four to 10 gallons per day.

• Take a 5-minute shower and install a low-flow showerhead, especially if you have not replaced it since 1994.

• Don't use the toilet as a wastebasket. Flushing tissues and bits of paper can waste many gallons of water.

• Check toilets for leaks. Place 10 drops of food coloring in the tank and wait 15 minutes. If color appears in the toilet bowl, you have a leak.

• Don't overfill your bathtub. A full bathtub holds up to 50 gallons of water. You can adequately bathe with 15 gallons of water.

• Mark the bath water level of your typical bath, then stopper the tub the next time you shower to compare water consumption levels of a shower versus a bath.

• Stopper the tub before turning on the water. Initial cold water will be warmed when the hot water starts to run.

• Fill an old water bottle with water and place it in the tank of your high volume toilet. Be sure to place the bottle away from moving parts. This will displace water volume and will save water every time you flush. If your toilet was built in 1994 or newer, you already have a high efficiency toilet and you should not place a bottle or other displacement device in the tank.

Conservation methods that are less than $50
• Install an aerator on your bathroom faucet. For less than $5, bathroom aerators can reduce water output to one gallon per minute or less.

• Check all faucets, including outside hose connections, for leaks. Replace worn washers, O-rings, packing and faulty fixtures.

Conservation methods that are more than $50
• If your toilet was manufactured prior to 1994, you can save on your water bill by replacing your old toilet with a low-flush model. The city will reimburse you $75 to help defray the cost. Rebates are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

In the Laundry Room

Conservation methods that are free to implement
• Try to wash only full loads of laundry.

• Adjust water level accordingly.

• If clothes are not soiled, wear them again.

Conservation methods that are more than $50
• Purchase a high efficiency (HE) washing machine. HE washers use 27 gallons of water per load or less while standard washers can use up to 55 gallons per load. The city offers rebates on HE washers.