The average urban household uses about 100 gallons of water per person per day. To use water more efficiently, try some of the following suggestions.

Outdoors
Because of poor watering methods, 20 to 50% of water used on outdoor landscape either runs off or evaporates. 
•  Water only when your lawn needs it. If your grass springs back when you step on it, it doesn’t 
   need watering. 
•  Water during the week (lowering the weekend demand) and in the morning (less water will be lost to wind and evaporation).
•  Soak the yard. Thorough watering encourages deeper root growth.
•  Use a nozzle on garden hoses when washing cars and boats.
•  Mulch shrubs and other plants to retain moisture. Leaves, lawn clippings or compost can be used instead of purchased mulch.
•  Avoid over watering. When watering is needed, water slowly until lawn is soggy. Use a soaker hose instead of a sprinkler.
•  Don’t water your lawn until you see signs of wilt. A wilted lawn will have a blue-green appearance, the leaves will curl and footprints will remain on the lawn.
•  Supply the correct amount of water. Lawns grown on heavy soil should receive one inch of water per week during the hot, dry season. This should take about three hours of watering time with typical sprinkler. To accurately measure the amount of water you are supplying, place an empty can on your lawn to catch the water.

Indoors
•  Reduce the water level in your toilet tank by placing a brick or a jug filled with rocks in the tank. This will displace the water and less will be used each time the tank is flushed.
•  Install faucet aerators as they can reduce flow rate by 50 percent. Aerators sell for about $4.
•  Fix leaking faucets. One leaking faucet can waste 350 gallons of water per month. 
•  Run dishwasher only when full. A dishwasher uses about 20 gallons per load.
•  Adjust the water level on the washing machine. Washing machines use about 14 percent of all household water.
•  Take showers instead of baths and limit shower time.
•  Turn water off when brushing your teeth.

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