Freshwater Conservation: Drip by Drip

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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.

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Jeanna Bryner, Editor in Chief, Scientific American