Water Use Efficiency » Resources » Plants & Gardens

Water Saving Tips

Conserving water doesn’t have to mean a major lifestyle change. It can be as simple as taking a shorter shower or turning off the water while you brush your teeth. Learn more easy ways to conserve 20 gallons a day.

 

Indoor

  1. Install a water efficient faucet aerator and turn off water when shaving or brushing your teeth. Saves 5 gallons per day.
  2. Install a low-flow showerhead and take 5 minute showers. Saves 5 gallons per day.
  3. Use only full loads in the washing machine and dishwasher. Saves 9 gallons per day.

Outdoor

Water your yard only in the morning or evening to reduce evaporation and use a broom instead of a hose to clean driveways and sidewalks. Saves 25 gallons per day.

  1. Install a ‘smart’ sprinkler controller in your yard. Saves up to 47 gallons per day.
  2. Replace large turf areas with drought tolerant plants. Saves up to 60 gallons per day.
  3. Fix leaky faucets, plumbing, and sprinklers. Saves up to 500 gallons per month.

Need some more ideas? Here are some simple tips that can help you save water around your home.

Around the Yard

  • Use only as much water as your yard needs. If your grass springs back when you step on it, it doesn’t need to be watered. Check out www.bewaterwise.com for a watering calculator that can help you use only as much as you need.
  • Don’t water the sidewalks or the gutter. Make sure your sprinklers are aimed on the grass.
  • Replace a portion of your lawn with California Friendly, drought-tolerant plants. This can save you up to 1,800 gallons per month.
  • Install a “smart” sprinkler controller that determines the correct amount of water based on your plants and the weather conditions. West Basin provides free water audits and smart controllers to qualifying residents.
  • Instead of using a hose to wash your car, use a bucket and low-flow spray nozzle.
  • You can save up to 150 gallons of water by using a broom to clean sidewalks and driveways instead of a hose.

Around the House

  • A leaky faucet can waste up to 20 gallons per day. Check your faucets, plumbing joints and sprinkler systems to make sure you aren’t wasting water.
  • Shorten your showers to 5 minutes or less. Even a two-minute reduction can save you up to 700 gallons of water per month.
  • Turn off the water when you’re not using it while brushing your teeth, washing your face or shaving.
  • Running only full loads in the dishwasher and washing machine can save you up to 800 gallons per month.
  • The most water-consuming machine in the house is the washing machine. By replacing it with a high-efficiency model, you can conserve water and energy.
  • Upgrade to an Ultra-Low-Flush or High-Efficiency Toilet, which use 1.2-1.6 gallons per flush as compared to older models that use 7 gallons per flush.