Water Saving Tips

You don’t have to spend a dime to save water and save money around your home:

Bathroom:

• Turn off the faucet while brushing teeth or shaving; only use water when you need to rinse.
• Reduce the time you spend in the shower, even if it is just a minute or two.
• Turn off the shower when you are shampooing.
• If you use the tub, bathe in only a couple of centimetres of water instead of a full tub.

Kitchen:

• Use the dishwasher only when there is a full load.
• Do not pre-rinse dishes; most modern dishwashers do not require this step.
• When washing by hand, use a basin to rinse dishes instead of using running water.
• Pour yourself a drink of cold water from a pitcher from the refrigerator instead of running the tap.
• Wash fruits in vegetables in a partially-filled sink instead of rinsing them under running water.

Laundry room:

• Wash clothes when there is a full load only.

Outdoors:

• Use a broom instead of your hose to remove debris from your driveway or sidewalk.
• Bathe your pets outdoors in areas that need water.
• Install a shut-off nozzle on your water hose; a garden hose left running can waste up to 20 litres per minute.
• Water your lawn and gardens once a week.
• Follow an odd-even watering schedule.
• Water in the morning or late evening to avoid evaporation during the heat of the day.
• When watering your lawn, ensure the spray does not reach your sidewalk or driveway.
• Use drip irrigation for trees and shrubs.
• Direct downspouts towards shrubs and trees in your garden.
• Use mulch around trees and plants to reduce evaporation.
• Allow your grass to grow slightly taller to promote water retention in the soil.

However, the most important water saving tip is to regularly check for leaks around your home. A leaking toilet or faucet can cost you hundreds of dollars a year.