We are in a serious drought situation in California. San Francisco is a dense city, and we all have to take responsibility for making sure we don’t use more than our fair share of water.
A good rule of thumb is to reduce your water consumption by twenty percent. I thought I’d share 20 of my favorite ways to save water; when enough individuals follow these sort of tips, it adds up to a lot of water saved:
1. Run the washing machine for full loads only.
2. Flush the toilet only when absolutely necessary.
3. Use a dishwasher instead of washing dishes by hand.
4. Limit shower use to a max of five minutes; you’ll save up to 1,000 gallons monthly.
5. Turn off the water when you’re brushing your teeth, lathering your hands or shaving.
6. Consider buying a dual-flush, low-flow toilet.
7. Water outdoor plants/lawns in the early morning or late evening.
8. Cut your watering to two times a week instead of seven.
9. Plant drought-resistant trees and flowers.
10. Use a broom to clean the sidewalk and driveway, not the hose.
11. Install low-flow showerheads.
12. Run the washing machine for full loads only. Max out at two loads weekly. Yes, it can be done. Not everything has to be immediately washed after you’ve worn it.
13. While you wait for hot water, collect the running water and use it to water plants.
14. Soak pots and pans instead of running the water while you scrape them.
15. When doing laundry, match the size of the load to the water level.
16. Love baths? Keep them to a minimum. A full bathtub requires up to 70 gallons of water.
17. Install water-saving aerators on all your faucets.
18. Check your faucets and showerheads for leaks. Drips are deadly in droughts.
19. Wash your pets outdoors, in an area that needs watering.
20. Water dry spots in your landscaping by hand instead of running the entire irrigation system.
Ror more tips, check out the non-profit organization Water Use It Wisely.