Save time and energy and put those dirty plates and utensils in the dishwasher. Hand washing a full load of dishes can use up to 27 gallons of water, compared to an Energy-star rated dishwasher which uses a mere 3 gallons per load. Even if you don’t have a water-efficient dishwasher, you will still be using less water vs. handwashing. Remember to put only full loads in the dishwasher to be extra water smart! If you are in the market to upgrade appliances, many cities/states give rebates for upgrading to efficient appliances!

According to the EPA, A leaky faucet that drips at the rate of one drip per second can waste more than 3,000 gallons per year. That’s the amount of water needed to take more than 180 showers. If you have a pesky pipe that has been dripping, fix it! Every drop is a few cents! If you don’t have any noticeable leaks, but your water bill is still high, it is worth it to take a look around the house. One way to check for hidden leaks is to monitor your water meter. Check your water meter before and after a two-hour period when water isn’t being used. If the meter reading changes between these two time periods, you may have a leak. Some other common indications of hidden leaks include damp walls and mold growth, weak water pressure, pavement cracks, and abnormally expensive water bills. Having trouble telling the difference between water damage, mold, or mildew, then check out our article.

Plants, Trees, and everything in your yard requires water to function well and look good. As you know, lawns and pretty plants can cost a pretty penny over time (especially if you live in a dry area). If you have timed sprinklers, make sure to set them to turn on in the early morning (5-7 am). Plants like water in the early morning because they can utilize it before it quickly evaporates. If you don’t have timed sprinklers, upgrading to water-efficient ones will limit the amount of energy and time you have to spend operating them, all while saving you money. If you don’t have a large grass yard, have flowers, or are just an avid gardener, you should consider drip irrigation. Studies show that drip irrigation systems use 30 – 50% less water than conventional watering methods. Overhead watering can be wasteful and promote fungal or bacterial growth in plants. Drip irrigation uses a minimal amount of water and targets the plants directly. Many drip systems even have timers too.

If you have a pool, lay down a plastic or vinyl cover over your pool to reduce maintenance expenses throughout the year, heating costs, and water evaporation! Pool covers are budget-friendly, eco-friendly alternatives to traditional gas heating. A pool cover acts as a blanket for your pool and traps escaping heat and water inside. They also prevent leaves, dirt, and animals from entering the water. Beyond this, according to the US Department of Energy pool covers offer several key benefits:

Cutting down your shower by only 2 minutes per shower can save up to 1,750 gallons of water per person in your household each year. Large families can save hundreds of dollars each year in utility costs if each person simply takes slightly shorter showers. If taking long showers is your ultimate source of comfort, and nothing will stop you from those 15 minutes of wonder, then think about installing a low flow showerhead. Low flow fixtures can reduce your water consumption by thousands of gallons each year. Low flow showerheads have become better at retaining adequate pressure too, so don’t think your showers won’t be enjoyable after the switch. Low flow appliances, like showerheads, toilets, faucets, and washing machines are often subject to government incentives and rebates. Check the water sense rebate finder to see if your home qualifies for money back.

Install a water aerator onto your kitchen sink to limit your flow to a non-splashing stream. This one is easy to DIY. Simply screw the aerator on the faucet head and this device will slow the flow of your water, streamline the outflow, reduce excess water waste, and help keep your kitchen clean and dry.

Big, expansive green lawns have been a staple of the American home for decades. While they are an appealing sight, grass is designed to grow in wet and cool climates, not hot and arid ones typically found in the western states (AZ, CA, NV, etc.). The upkeep of a gardener and the amount of water needed to maintain a grass lawn is very expensive. Drought tolerant plants need to be watered twice a month, compared to thirsty grass lawns which need to be watered two-three times a week. Beautiful desert flowers and plants create a lawn that will blend in with your surrounding environment and require little maintenance. That could save you 75% on the landscaping portion of your water bill, meaning hundreds of dollars a year in savings.  Best of all many state and local water departments offer rebates that may help cover the cost of every inch of transformed lawn.