Doing small things consistently over time—if enough people participate—can make a dent, even in a global problem. Here are a few suggestions:

• Check your sinks, indoor and outdoor faucets, pipes, toilets, even your meter for leaks.
• Run your high-efficiency (Energy Star) washing machine or dishwasher for full loads only.
• Purchase a front-loading washing machine—it uses significantly less water than a top-loading machine—and purchase a dryer with a moisture sensor.
• Install a dual-flush toilet (which uses less water for liquid waste) or a low-flow unit as well as a gray-water recycling system.
• Use a low-flow showerhead and capture bathwater to water plants. And take shorter showers.
• Water your lawn in the early morning or at night to avoid losses from evaporation and use mulch to trap moisture.
• Consider installing a rain barrel for capturing storm water and using it to water the garden.
• Wash fruits and vegetables in a bowl of water rather than under a running faucet.
• Start a compost pile rather than using an in-sink garbage disposal unit.
• Use the refrigerator or microwave rather than hot water to thaw frozen food.
• Instead of washing your car by hand, go to a professional car wash.

2 Comments

1. 1. ksgarvin 03:45 PM 7/23/08

   Stop hosing the sidewalks to clean them and use a broom instead. Every morning in Washington DC I see janitors hosing sidewalks. One even uses an air compressor to power the spray -- who cares if pedestrians or bicyclists get wet, anyway? Not to mention the excessive noise levels. Wet slippery sidewalks are a hazard, but apparently no one thinks about that until lawsuits start flying.

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2. 2. ambermoisan 11:29 AM 8/7/08

   You can also save some water by turning the water off while you brush your teeth. There are little things like this you can do to conserve water but it is the big things that make a big difference. Companies are gonna have to change their ways too. Take Wal-Mart for instance, in their stores they have bakeries and in most bakeries they have to wash dishes by hand. This uses a lot of water, you have to fill up three sinks full of water. One for washing, one for rinsing, and one for sanitizing. So, in my opinion I think the big companies need to start also making a difference.

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