Prioritize Leak Detection and Repair: Regularly inspect toilets, faucets, and pipes for leaks. A single running toilet can waste approximately 200 gallons of water daily. Prompt repair of leaks is one of the most impactful conservation actions.
Adopt Water-Efficient Fixtures: Replace older, inefficient toilets, showerheads, and faucets with WaterSense labeled models. These upgrades lead to substantial savings in both water and the energy required to heat it.
Optimize Appliance Use: Operate washing machines and dishwashers only when they are fully loaded. Consider upgrading to ENERGY STAR certified appliances, which are designed for superior water and energy efficiency.
Practice Mindful Water Habits: Implement simple behavioral changes such as taking shorter showers, turning off the tap while brushing teeth or shaving, and avoiding unnecessary running water.
Utilize Smart Home Technologies: Explore the use of smart devices and applications that provide real-time water usage feedback and alert homeowners to potential leaks, facilitating immediate corrective action.
Adopt Water-Smart Landscape Design: Prioritize drought-tolerant plants and reduce traditional lawn areas with less water-intensive alternatives. Apply mulch for retaining moisture and reducing irrigation needs.
Optimize Irrigation Practices: Invest in WaterSense labeled irrigation controllers and utilize drip irrigation systems for gardens, trees, and shrubs to deliver water directly to the root zone. Adjust sprinkler heads for optimal coverage and water during the cooler hours of early morning or evening, to minimize evaporation losses.
Minimize Water Waste from Other Activities: Use a broom instead of a hose for cleaning hard surfaces like driveways and sidewalks. For car washing, opt for commercial car washes that recycle water. Cover swimming pools when not in use to reduce evaporation and check for leaks regularly.
Sonoma-Marin Saving Water Partnership has practical advices on how to conserve water for indoor and outdoor use cases, including a water saving calculator to estimate how many gallons you can save daily by changing a few habits.