The Earth is comprised of mostly water; however, only a very small fraction of that water is suitable for humans to drink. This makes water an incredibly valuable resource- one we should take care not to waste. Being resourceful when it comes to water will not only help the environment, but it can also put a little extra cash in your pocket if you’re a homeowner. Follow these tips to help you conserve water at home in order to do so.

1. Be conscious about the amount of water you’re using at home. A whopping 25% of home water use is dedicated to flushing the toilet, so make sure there is no frivolous toilet flushing occurring in the home. You might also consider purchasing a dual flush toilet, which allows you to do a “half flush” that greatly saves water.

2. Make necessary minor adjustments to your everyday routine. Keeping a pitcher of cold water in the fridge instead of letting the facet pour out water until it reaches an acceptable amount of coldness will eliminate this frivolous waste of water. Run full loads in the washing machine and dishwasher instead of half loads, as half loads use more water. Do not let the tap run when you are shaving at the sink. Instead, partially fill the sink with warm water so that you may clear your razor that way. In addition, when you are washing dishes, fill one sink basin with water for washing the dishes and the other to rinse them afterwards. Try to refrain from leaving the tap running at all costs.

3. Reuse water whenever possible. For example, if you decide to rinse some fruits and vegetables, you can then reuse the water to water your plants.

4. Water your lawn as little as possible, and when you do water it, do it in the early AM. Lawn watering regulations allow you to water your garden from 4 AM to 9 AM which are the optimal watering hours. Watering your lawn or garden at this time reduces water loss from wind and evaporation. Make sure you have a timer set on your sprinkler, as your lawn will only need to be watered for one hour per week.

5. Be water-conscious in the garden. Choose plants that enjoy dry weather, such as tomatoes, beans, melon, eggplant, and basil. Water your vegetable gardens in the morning and by hand. This will ensure your vegetables have strong roots.

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