13 Ways to Conserve Water

Restricting your use of water can save you money and help the environment. It is especially important that you understand how to minimize your use of water if you live in a dry location, such as Colorado. There are many small steps you can take that will conserve quite a bit of water in the long run. Don't worry; you don't have to drink your bath water to save water! Be a frugal consumer and an environmental humanitarian! You won't regret it when you see your new water bill!

1. Take short showers. If you have a partner, shower together. One of you can wash while the other rinses. You'll probably halve the amount of water you use, saving money. You may have some fun while you're at it, too!

2. Have your younger children bathe together or one after the other using the same water. Let them alternate who bathes first daily, so they get the fresh water.

3. If every child is bathing individually in their own water, have each child use no more than 3 inches of water. You don't have to completely submerse yourself in the water to get clean. Splashing and dumping water over your head will get you just as clean, and it's a lot more fun than just laying in the liquid.

4. Water your lawn only 5-10 minutes a day in the summer and only 5 minutes a day or every other day in the winter. Do this before noon, so that the water will be less likely to evaporate before being absorbed by the plants. Your lawn will be just as fresh and green as everyone else's.

5. Use only the basic cycles on your dishwasher and washing machine. A pre-soak and extra rinse is rarely necessary to get clean results.

6. Cover a portion of your yard in gravel, and plant grass over a smaller area. You could make the gravel area more attractive by placing a statue or birdbath in the center.

7. Grow plants that require only a small amount of water, or consider decorating with something other than vegetation. This is called xeriscaping. Get creative!

8. If you're really wanting to be conservative, flush the toilet less often. If it's yellow, let it mellow. If it's brown, flush it down. Of course, you may want to abandon this rule when you have company coming. Make sure you leave the toilet lid closed if you don't flush, and have some air spray handy!

9. Don't let the water run while you brush your teeth or hair. Turn it off whenever you aren't actively using it.

10. Rather than running the water while rinsing dishes throughout the day, leave a small amount of soapy water in the sink. Plop your dishes throughout the day in there and let them soak, then scrub the food off of them. Give them a quick rinse, and you're all done.

11. When preparing food, use slightly less water than the recipe asks for. Try 4/5 instead of a full cup. The amount of water you save can add up.

12. If you have a pool, refill it only when necessary, and don't allow your children to use the hose as a toy while they swim--for long periods of time, at least.

13. Wash your car by hand. It is a lot cheaper and uses a lot more water. If you enlist the help of family or friends, it can actually be pretty fun! Just don't get too wet and wild.

There are many benefits to being a conscientious water user. Younger children will enjoy group baths as a time to play together. Showering as a couple can be especially fun, as long as you don't linger too long in your...washing. If you learn to xeriscape, you'll have an attractive, unique yard--far more likely to catch an eye than plain green grass. More importantly, conserving water will save money and is respectful of mother nature.