In the dog days of August, thoughts turn to water -- truly a precious resource. Conservation not only helps ensure that our water supply is adequate; it also protects the quality of our water. Here's what you can do to conserve at home.

Cut down on waste.

1. Don't use your toilet as a wastepaper basket. Throw tissues in the garbage.

2. Don't run water unnecessarily.

• Turn water off while shaving, brushing teeth and scrubbing dishes.
  
  
• Keep drinking water in the refrigerator, rather than letting the tap run till the water gets cool.
  
  
• Defrost frozen food in the refrigerator overnight, instead of using water to thaw it.
  
  
• Scrape dishes, instead of rinsing them, before loading the dishwasher.
  
  

3. Take showers instead of baths, and make them short. When you do take a bath, close the drain first, then turn on the water. Don't fill the tub more than halfway.

4. Use your machines efficiently.

• Wait for a full load to run the dishwasher.
• Use the shortest wash cycle your dishwasher allows, unless dishes are very dirty.
• Select the appropriate water level or load size on your washing machine.

5. Use a broom or rake instead of a hose to clear debris from driveways and other paved areas outside.

Reduce loss through evaporation

1. Water your lawn and plants in the early morning or late evening when the temperature is lower.

2. Put a layer of organic mulch around your plants.

3. Keep a pool cover on the pool when it's not in use.

Recycle

1. Put a small basin in your sink to collect water. Reuse the water for plants and cleaning.

2. Take your car to a commercial car wash that recycles water.

Improve your equipment

1. Replace conventional toilets with ultra-low flow toilets, and save an average of 4 gallons per flush. Alternatively, put plastic containers filled with water in your toilet tanks. This saves less, but still helps. (Just keep the containers away from the flush mechanism.)

2. Install low-flow aerators and showerheads to save 2-3 gallons on average per minute.

3. Get a horizontal-access washing machine. They're more expensive, but they reduce water usage by about 50%. Contrary to popular belief, top-loading models are available.

4. Control water flow in hoses with automatic shut-off nozzles.

5. Repair all leaks, which can cost tens of thousands of gallons a year. A leaky toilet alone can waste 200 gallons per day -- and the leak is often invisible. To see if you have one, add food coloring to the tank water. You know there's a leak if colored water appears in the bowl.

A bonus to saving water is that it often saves energy as well. That's extra good news for the environment -- and your wallet!

For related information, see these pages:

HOW MUCH DRINKING WATER DO WE USE IN OUR HOMES?
http://www.epa.gov/ogwdw/wot/howmuch.html

INDOOR WATER EFFICIENCY SPREADSHEET
http://solstice.crest.org/environment/gotwh/general/indoor-water/

WATERWISER DRIP CALCULATOR
http://www.waterwiser.org/template.cfm?page1=books/dripcalc&page2=links_menu

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT LOW FLOW TOILETS
http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/watercon/toiletq.htm

HORIZONTAL AXIS WASHING MACHINES SAVE ENERGY, WATER AND ARE EASIER ON CLOTHES!
http://www.ci.santa-barbara.ca.us/departments/public_works/water_resources/bfhorizontal.html

POOL EVAPORATION CHART
http://www.marinwater.org/poolevaporation.html

100 WAYS TO SAVE WATER
http://www.wateruseitwisely.com/100tips.html