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Daily Conservation Tips


Kitchen Conservation Tips
• Install a low-flow aerator on your kitchen faucet.
• Place a pitcher of water in the fridge, or warm the water in the microwave or on the stove instead of running the water from the tap and waiting for the temperature to change. Otherwise, while waiting, capture the running water for watering the plants.
• Thaw frozen foods by putting them in the refrigerator overnight or use the microwave to defrost instead of using water to thaw them.
• Use only a little water in the bottom of the pan for cooking purposes. This is what most foods require and, at the same time, the foods will be more nutritious since the vitamins will stay more in the food instead of the water.
• Only run the dishwasher when you have a full load; and, if available, select the "light wash" option in order to use less water.
• Scrape dirty dishes instead of rinsing them off with water. Most dishwashers clean dishes very well and do not need to be rinsed.
• When washing dishes by hand, place the stoppers in the sinks or use two containers, one with soapy water and one with rinsing water, instead of turning the faucet on each time a rinse is needed.
• Begin a compost pile rather than running the water for a garbage disposal.
• Use a pan of water to clean vegetables instead of running the water from the faucet. Then, reuse this water for watering plants.

Laundry Conservation Tips
• Use the wash machine only when there is a full load. Adjust the water level based on the size of the load.
• When purchasing a new wash machine, buy a high-efficiency appliance. This will not only conserve water, but will also save money on water and energy bills.

Bathroom Conservation Tips
• Install a low-flow faucet aerator on your bathroom sink.
• Turn the water off while brushing your teeth, washing, or shaving.
• Install a low-flow showerhead.
• Take a shower instead of a bath. A fast shower, especially one with a low-flow showerhead, will use less water.
• Place a bucket in the shower to catch excess water for watering plants.
• While in the shower, turn the water on to get wet, turn it off while soaping up, and turn it back on to rinse off. Do the same when washing your hair.
• Only flush the toilet when necessary. Use the trash for tissues, insects, and waste instead of flushing them down the toilet.
• Check for toilet leaks twice a year. (See Leaks for more information.)
• If the handle of the toilet often stays in the flush position, after flushing, and allows the water to run, get it fixed.
• Put a plastic gallon jug filled with rocks, into the toilet tank. This will raise the water level in the tank so that less water will be used. Otherwise, you can purchase a toilet displacement device from a hardware store to do the same thing.
• When remodeling or purchasing a new home, install a low-flow flushing toilet that uses only 1.6 gallons of water per flush.

General Conservation Tips
• Do not pour water down the drain when it could be reused for watering plants, gardens, etc.
• Check your water meter to verify that your house is leak free.
• Repair toilet leaks or dripping faucets right away. These waste a lot of water and can significantly increase.

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