100+ Ways To Conserve - Water Use It Wisely Page 1 of7

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100+ WAYS TO
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CONSERVE

100+ WAYS TO CONSERVE

When it comes to conserving water. small adjustments can have a big impact. Here you can sort through nearly 200 water-saving tips, download and
print tip posters, or share your favorites on social media,

VIEW: GRID I LIST SORT: ALL I OUTDOORTIPS I INDOOR TIPS I OFFICE I KIDS

INDOOR TIPS

KITCHEN

#1 There are a number of ways to save water, and they all start with you.

#2 When washing dishes by hand, don't let the water run, Fill one basin with wash water and the other with rinse water.

#3 Dishwashers typically use less water than washing dishes by hand, Now, Energy Star dishwashers save even more water and energy,

#4 If your dishwasher is new, cut back on rinsing. Newer models clean more thoroughly than older ones.

#5 Designate one glass for your drinking water each day. or refill a water bottle. This will cut down on 1I1enumber of glasses to wash,

#6 Soak pots and pans instead of letting the water run while you scrape them clean.

#7 Use the garbage disposal sparingly. Instead, compost vegetable food waste and save gallons every lime.

#8 Wash your fruits and vegetables in a pan of water instead of running water from the tap.

#9 Don't use running water to thaw food, For water efficiency and food safety, defrost food in the refrigerator.

#10 Install an instant water heater near your kitchen sink so you don't have to run the water while it heats up, This also reduces energy costs.

#11 Keep a pitcher of drinking water in the refrigerator instead of running the tap. This way, every drop goes down you and not the drain,

#12 Reuse leftover water from cooked or steamed foods to start a nutritious soup, it's one more way to get eight glasses of water a day.

#13 Cook food in as little water as possible, This also helps it retain more nutrients,

#14 Select the proper pan size for cooking, Large pans may require more cooking water than necessary.

#15 If you accidentally drop ice cubes, don't throw them in Ihe sink, Drop them in a house plant instead.

#16 Coiled the water you use while rinsing fruit and vegetables, Use it to water house plants,

#17 When shopping for a new dishwasher, use the Consortium for Energy Efficiency website to compare water use between models.

LAUNDRY ROOM

#18 When doing laundry, match the water level to the size of the load.

#19 WaShing dark clothes in cold water saves water and energy, and helps your clothes retain their color.

#20 When shopping for a new washing machine, compare resource savings among Energy Star models. Some can save up to 20 gallons of water per load.

#21 Have a plumber re-route your greywater to trees and plants rather than the sewer line, Check with your city and county for codes,

#22 When buying a washer, check the Consortium for Energy Efficiency website to compare water use between models.

BATHROOM

#23 If your shower fills a one-gallon bucket in less than 20 seconds, replace the showerhead with a WaterSense@ labeted model.

#24 Shorten your shower by a minute or two and you'll save up to 150 gallons per month.

#25 Time your shower to keep it under 5 minutes. You'll save up to 1,000 gallons per month,

#26 Toilet leaks can be silent! Be sure to test your toilet for leaks at least once a year.

#27 Put food coloring in your toilet tank. If it seeps into the bowl without flushing, there's a leak, Fix it and start saving gallons.

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#28 When running a bath, plug the bathtub before turning on the water. Adjust the temperature as the tub fills,

#29 Upgrade older toilets with water-saving WaterSense® labeled models,

#30 If your toilet flapper doesn't dose properly after flushing, replace it.

#31 Use a WaterSense® labeled showerhead. They're inexpensive, easy to install, and can save you up to 750 gallons a month,

#32 Turn off the water while you brush your teeth and save up to 4 gallons a minute, That's up to 200 gallons a week for a family of four,

#33 If your toilet was installed before 1992, purchasing a WaterSense® labeled toilet can reduce the amount of water used for each flush,

#34 Consider buying a dual-flush toilet. It has two flush options: a half-flush for liquid waste and a full-flush for solid waste,

#35 Plug the sink instead of running the water to rinse your razor and save up to 300 gallons a month,

#36 Turn off the water while washinq your hair and save up to 150 gallons a month,

#37 When washing your hands, turn the water off while you lather,

#38 Take 5-minute showers inslead of baths, A full bathtub requires up to 70 gallons of water.

#39 Install water-saving aerators on all of your faucets,

#40 Drop tissues in the trash instead of flushing them and save water every time,

#41 Look for WaterSense® labeled toilets, sink faucets, urinals and snowerheads.

#42 One drip every second adds up to five gallons per day! Check your faucets and sllowerheads for leaks,

#43 While you wait for hot water, collect the running water and use it to water plants,

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GENERAL INDOOR
#44 Teach children to turn off faucets tightly after each use,

#45 Watch the Home Water Challenge video or use the Home Water Audit Calculator to see where you can save water,

#46 Vvhen the kids want to cool off, use the sprinkler in an area where your lawn needs it most.

#47 Encourage your school system and local government 10develop and promote water conservation among children and adults,

#48 Play fun games whi!e learning how to save waler!

#49 Monitor your water bill for unusually high use, Your bill and water meter are tools that can help you discover leaks,

#50 Learn how to use your water meler to check for leaks,

#51 Reward kids for the water-saving tips they follow,

#52 Avoid recreational watertoys that require a constant ftow of water.

#53 Grab a wrench and fix thaI leaky faucet. It's simple, inexpensive, and you can save 140 gallons a week,

#54 Hire a GreenPlumber® to help reduce your water, energy, and chemical use,

#55 Be a leak detective! Check all hoses, connectors, and Faucets regularly for leaks,

#56 We're more likely to notice leaky faucets indoors, but don't forget to check outdoor faucets, pipes, and hoses,

#57 See a leak you can't fix? Tell a parent, teacher, employer, or property manager, or call a handyman,

#58 AI home or while Slaying in a hotel, reuse your towels,

#59 Make suggestions to your employer or school about ways to save water and money,

#60 Run your washer and dishwasher only when they are full, You can save up to 1,000 gallons a month,

#61 See how your water use stacks up to others by calculating your daily water use,

OUTDOOR TIPS
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XERISCAPE LANDSCAPING
#62 Use porous material for walkways and patios to prevent wasteful runoff and keep water in your yard,

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100+ Ways To Conserve - Water Use It Wisely Page 3 of7

#63 Group plants with the same watering needs together to avoid overwatermq some while underwatering others.

#64 Choose the right Arizona-friendly plants and watch them thrive in our desert environment.

#65 Reduce the amount of lawn in your yard by planting shrubs and ground covers appropriate to your site and region,

#66 Plant species native to your region.

#67 Plant in the spring and fali, when the watering requirements are lower.

#68 When sprucing up your front or backyard, consider xeriscaping. This landscape method uses low-water-use plants to limit your water use,

#69 Consider attending a landscape class hosted by a water provider. Most workshops occur in the spring and fall.

#70 Avoid planting grass in areas that are hard to water, such as steep inclines and isolated strips along sidewalks and driveways,

#71 Leave lower branches on trees and shrubs and allow leaf litter to accumulate on the soil. This keeps the soil cooler ami reduces evaporation.

#72 Start a compost pile, Using compost in your garden or flower beds adds water-holdinq organic matter to the soil.

#73 Use a layer of organic mulch on the surface of your planting beds to minimize weed growth that competes for water.

#74, Spreading a layer of organic mulch around plants helps them retain moisture, saving water, lime and money

#75 Use 2 to 4 inches of organic mulch around plants to reduce evaporation and save hundreds of gallons of water a year,

#76 Visit your local xeriscape garden to view plants that Ih;ive in our hot desert environment.

#77 Next time you add or replace a flower or shrub, choose a low-water-use plant and save up to 550 galions each year,

#78 Call your local conservation office for more information about xeriscaping with water-thrifty trees, plants, and ground covers,

#19 Collect water from your roof by installing gutters and downspouts, Direct the runoff to plants and trees,

#80 For automatic water savings, direct water from rain gutters and HVAC systems to water-loving plants in your landscape,

#81 Hire a qualified pro to install your irrigation system and keep it working properly and efficiently,

#82 Hire a Smartscape Certified professional landscaper who has received landscape training speciflc to the Sonoran Desert.

#83 Adjust your lawn mower to the height of 1,5 to 2 inches, Taller grass shades roots and holds soil moisture better than short grass.

#84 Leave lawn Clippings on your grass, this cools the ground and holds in moisture,

#85 If installing a lawn, select a lawn mix or blend that matches your climate and site conditions,

#86 Aerate your lawn periodically, Holes every six inches will allow water to reach the roots, rather than run off the surface.

#87 If walking across the lawn leaves footprints (blades don't spring back up), then it is time to water.

#88 Let your lawn go dormant (brown) during the winter, Dormant grass only needs to be watered every three to four weeks, less if it rains,

#89 Avoid overseeding your lawn with winter grass, 11yegrass needs water every few days, whereas Dormant Bermuda grass needs water rnonthly.

#90 Remember to weed your lawn and garden regularly. Weeds compete with other plants for nutrients, light and water.

#91 IA/hile fertilizers promote plant growth, they also increase water consumption. Apply the minimum amount of fertilizer needed,

#92 Waler your summer lawns once every three days and your winter lawn once every five days.

#93 Catch water in an empty tuna C,3n to measure sprinkler output. 314 to 1 inch of water is enough to apply each time you irrigate,

LANDSCAPE
#94 Read the Landscape Watering by the Numbers guidebook to help you determine how long and how much to water.

#95 Use a trowel, shovel, or soil probe to examine soil moisture depth, If the top two to three inches of soil are dry, it's time to water,

#96 Set a kitchen timer when using the hose as a reminder to turn it off, A running hose can discharge up to 10 gallons per minute.

#97 Check your sprinkler system frequently and adjust sprinklers so only your lawn is watered and not the house, sidewalk or street.

#98 Minimize evaporation by watering during the early moming hours when temperatures are cooler and winds are lighter,

#99 Timing is everything when it comes to irrigation, Learn how to set your controller properly.

#100 Look for WaterSense® labeled irrigation controllers.

#101 Learn how to shut off your automatic watering system in case of malfunctions or rain,

#102 Apply water only as fast as the soil can absorb it.

#103 If water runs off your lawn easily, split your watering time into shorter periods to allow for better absorption,

#104 Water only when necessary. More plants die from over-watering than from under-watering,

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#105 Signs of overwatering: Leaves turn lighter shades of green or yellow, young shoots will, and sometimes algae or fungi grow.

#106 Adjust your watering schedule each month to match seasonal weather conditions and landscape requirements.

#107 Install a rain sensor on your irrigation controller so your system won't run when it's raining.

#108 Water dry spot by hand instead of running the whole irrigation system longer.

#109 Don't water your lawn on windy days when most of the water blows away or evaporates.

#110 Use drip irrigation for shrubs and trees to apply water directly to the roots, where it's needed.

#111 Water your plants deeply but less frequently to encourage deep root growth and drought tolerance.

#112 Use sprinklers that deliver big drops of water close to the ground. Smaller drops and mist often evaporate before hitting the ground.

#113 Use a rain barrel to harvest rainwater from gutters for watering gardens and landscapes.

#114 For hanging baskets, planters and pots, put ice cubes on top of the soil to give your plants a cool drink of water without overflow.

#115 Remember to periodically check your sprinkler system valves for leaks, and to keep sprinkler heads in good shape.

#116 Spring is a great time to give your irrigation system a checkup to ensure it's working effiCiently.

#117 Pruning properly can help your plants use water more effiCiently.

POOL

#118 Use a pool cover to help keep your pool clean, reduce chemical use and prevent water loss through evaporation.

#119 Make sure your swimming pools, fountains and ponds are equipped with redrculating pumps.

#120 If you have an automatic refilling device. check your pool periodically for leaks.

#121 When back-washing your pool, consider using the water on salt-tolerant plants in the landscape.

#122 Minimize or eliminate the use of waterfalls and sprays in your pool. Aeration increases evaporation.

#123 Don't overfill the pool. Lower water levels will reduce water loss due to splashing.

#124 Keep water in the pool when playing, it will save water.

#125 Instead of building a private pool, join a community pool.

#126 Trickling or cascading fountains lose less water to evaporation than those that spray water into the air.

#127 Use a grease pencil to conduct a bucket test to check for pool leaks. An unnatural water level drop may indicate a leak.

GENERAL OUTDOOR

#128 \oVinterizeoutdoor spigots when temperatures dip below frm,zing to prevent pipes from leaking or bursting.

#129 For more immediate hot water and energy savings, insulate hot water pipes.

#130 Use a commercial Garwash that recycles water. Or. wash your car on the lawn, and you'll water your grass at the same time.

#131 Use a hose nozzle or turn off the water while you wash your car. You'll save up to 100 gallons every time.

#132 Wash your pets outdoors, in an area of your lawn that needs water.

#133 VVhencleaning out fish tanks, give the nutrient -rich water to your non-edible plants.

#134 When you give your pet fresh water, don't throw the old water down the drain. Use it 10 water your trees or shrubs.

#135 Use a broom ins lead of a hose to clean patios, sidewalks and driveways. and save water every time.

#136 Evaporative coolers require a seasonal maintenance check. For more efficient cooling, check your evaporative cooler annually.

#137 If you have an evaporative cooler, direct the water drain to plants in your landscape.

#138 Set water softeners for a minimum number of refills to save both water and chemicals, plus energy, too.

#139 If you have an evaporative cooler, install a recirculating pump to keep water from bleeding off with one pass.

#140 Report broken pipes, leaky hydrants and errant sprinklers to property owners or your local water provider.

#141 Know where your master water shut-off valve is located. Were a pipe to burst, this could save gallons of water and prevent damage.

#142 Install a thennostat and timer on your evaporative cooler so it only operates when necessary.

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100+ Ways To Conserve - Water Use It Wisely Page 5 of7

OFFICE
#10 Install an instant water neater near your kitchen sink so you don't have to run the water while it heats up. This also reduces energy costs.

#29 Upgrade older toilets with water-saving WaterSense® labeled models.

#39 Install water-saving aerators on all of your faucets.

#41 Look for WaterSense® labeled toilets. sink faucets, urinals and snowerheads.

#54 Hire a GroenPlumber® to help reduce your water, energy. and chemical use.

#143 Some commercia! refrigerators and ice-makers are cooled with water, Upgrade to air-cooled appliances for Significant water savings,

#144 Post a hotline in bathrooms and kitchens to report leaks or water waste to facility managers or maintenance personnel.

#145 Create a suggestion and incentives system at your organization to recognize water-saving ideas.

#146 Include a water-saving lip in your employee newsletter. Find 100+ tips at wateruseltwlsely.com

#147 Implement a water management plan for your facility, then educate employees on good water habits through newsletters and posters.

#148 Publish your organization's monthly water use 10 show progress toward water-savinq goals.

#149 Invite your water utility conservation staff to your organization for Earth Day and other environmental events to help promote water savings.

#150 Water audit your facility to find out your recommended water use, then monitor your utility bills to gauge your monthly consumption.

#151 Have maintenance personnel regularly check your facilities for leaks, drips and other water waste.

#152 If you use processed water in your business or facility, look into water recycling.

#153 Contact your water utility to see if rebates are available) For purchasinq water-efficient fixtures. equipment or for facility audits.

#154 Consider and compare water use when purchasing ice makers, dishwashers, reverse osmosis units: coolers and cleaning equipment.

#155 Become or appoint a water ambassador within your organization who creates, implements and maintains your water conservation program.

#156 Become a proud WaterSense® partner and let all your customers know.

#157 As part of tile WaterSense® Fix-A-Leak Week in MarCh, plan an employee campaign to look for leaks.

#158 Determine how your on-site water is being used by installing suo-meters where feasible, then monitoring for savings.

#159 Conduct a facility water use inventory and identify water management goals.

#160 Don't forget hidden water use costs, like energy for pumping, heating and cooling, chemical treatment, and damage and sewer expenses.

#161 Show your company's dedication to water conservation through a policy statement. Commit management, staff and resources to the effort.

#162 Shut off water to unused areas of your facility to eliminate waste from leaks or unmonitored US8.

#163 Create a goal of how much water your company can save and plan a celebration once that goal is met.

#164 Ask employees for suggestions on saving water and give prizes for ttle best ideas. Incentivize it!

#165 Write feature articles on your employee website that highlight water-saving ideas and successes.

#166 Test your co-workers or employees on topics like xeriscape, WaterSonse®, and high-efficiency toilets. See how water-wise they are.

#167 Hire a WaterSense® irrigation partner to help with your landscape.

#168 Saving water on your landscape adds up quickly. Send the person in charqe of your landscape to an irrigation workshop.

#169 Marry the weather with your landscape water use. Waler use should decrease during rainy periods and increase during hot, dry periods.

#170 Visit your local Water Conservation office's website to get information on programs available to businesses.

#171 Make sure your contract plumber and/or maintenance personnel knows about GreenPlumbers@.

#172 Ask your company to support water conservation events and education. ProjectWet hosts local events throughout the country.

#173 Support Tap Into Quality and forgo those plastic water bottles to lower your carbon footprint.

#174 Scrape dishes rather than rinsing them before washing.

#175 Use water-conserving tcemakers.

#176 A recent stucy showed that 99% of business managers surveyed ranked water conservation as a "top five'"" priority over the next decade.

#177 If your facility relies on cooling towers, have maintenance maximize cycles of concentration by providing efficient water treatment.

#178 Be sure your irrigation system is watering only the areas intended, with no water running onto walks, streets or down the gutter.

#179 While cleaning sidewalks, a hose and nozzle use 8-12 gallons of water per minute. A pressurized Waterbroom® uses closer to 3 gallons.

#180 Inspect your landscape irrigation system regularly for leaks or broken sprinkler heads and adjust pressures to specification.

#181 Give your landscape proper amounts of irrigation water. Determine water needs, water deeply but infrequently, and adjust to the season.

#182 Establish a monthly water budget for your landscape based on the water needs of your plants.

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#183 Umit turf areas at your facility. Instead, landscape using xeriscape prtnciplss to cut water use in half.

#184 Put decorative fountains on timers and use only during work or daylight hours. Check for leaks if you have automatic refilling devices.

#185 Wash company vehicles at commercial car washers that recycle water.

#186 Wash company vehicles as needed rather than on a schedule. Stretch out the time in between washes.

#187 Consider turning your high-maintenance water feature/fountain into a low-rnaintenance art feature or planter.

#188 VVhen buying new appliances, consider those that offer cycle and load size adjustments. They are more water and energy efficient.

#189 Support projects that use reclaimed wastewater for irrigation and industrial uses.

#190 When ice cubes are leftover from your drink, don't throw them out. Pour them on a plant.

KIDS
#1 There are a number of ways to saw water. and they all start with you.

#2 When washing dishes by hand, don't let the water run. Fill one basin with wash water and !tIe other with rinse water.

#5 Desiqnate one glass for your drinking water each day. or refill a water bottle. This will cut down on the number of glasses to wash.

#8 Wash your fruits and vegetables in a pan of water instead of running water from the tap.

#11 Keep a pitcher 01 drinking water in the refrigerator instead of running the tap. This way, every drop goes down you and not the drain.

#15 If you accldenlally drop ice cubes, don't throw them in the sink. Drop them in a house plant instead.

#18 VVhendoing laundry, rnatch tile water level to the size of the load.

#19 Wastling dark clothes in cold water saves water and energy, and helps your clothes retain tileir color.

#24 Shorten your shower by a minute or two and you'll save up to 150 gallons per month.

#25 Time your shower to keep it under 5 minutes. You'll save up to 1,000 gallons per month.

#32 Turn off the water while you brush your teeth and save up to 4 gallons a minute. That's up to 200 gallons a week for a family of four.

#36 Turn off the water while washing your hair and save up to 150 gallons a month.

#37 When washing your hands, turn the water off while YOLI lather.

#38 Take 5-rnil1ute showers instead of cams. A full bathtub requires up 10 70 gallons of water.

#40 Drop tissues in the trash instead of fillstling them and save water every lime.

#42 One drip every second adds up to five gallons per day! Check your faucets and showemeads for leaks.

#44 Teach children to turn oft faucets tightly after each use.

#45 Watch the Home Water Challenge video or use the Horne Water Audit Calculator to see where you can save water.

#46 When the kids want to cool off, use the sprinkler in an area where your lawn needs it most.

#47 Encourage your school system and local government to develop and promote water conservation among children and adults.

#48 Play fun games while learning how to save water!

#49 Monitor your water bill for unusually high use. Your bill and water meter are tools that can help you discover leaks.

#50 Learn how to use your water meter to check for leaks.

#51 Reward kids for tile water-saving lips tlley follow.

#52 Avoid recreational water toys that require a constant flow of water.

#55 Be a leak detective' Check all hoses, connectors, and faucets regularly for leaks.

#57 See a leak you can't fix? Tell a parent, teacher, employer, or property manager, or Galla handyman.

#58 At home or while staying in a hotel, reuse your towels.

#59 Make suggestions to your employer or school about ways to save water and money.

#60 Run your washer and dishwasher only when they are full. You can save up to 1.000 gallons a month.

#123 Don't overfill the pool. Lower water levels will reduce water loss due to splashing.

#124 Keep water in the pool when playing, it will save water.

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100+ Ways To Conserve - Water Use It Wisely Page 7 of7

#131 Use a hose nozzle or turn off the water while you wash YOU!' car. You'll save up to 100 gallons every time,

#132 Wash your pets outdoors, in an area of your lawn that needs water.

#133 \I\,lhen cleaning out fish tanks, give the nutrient-rich water to your non-edible plants,

#134 When you give your pet fresh water, don't throw the old water down the drain, Use it to water your trees or shrubs,

#135 Use a broom instead of a hose to clean patios, sidewalks and driveways, and save water every time,

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