Why Conserve Water?

• Conserves energy
• Saves money
• Reduces pressure on sewage treatment facilities/septic systems
• Reduces chemical impacts on natural waters
• Supports healthy lakes and streams

Public Service Messages

Water Use 1

Water Use 2

Water Use 3

Water Use 4

What You Can Do:

In the Kitchen and Laundry

• Identify and fix leaks immediately — a slow drip can waste up to 20 gallons a day.
• Run your dishwasher only when it's full — save 300 gallons a month.
• Use a basin or stopper the sink when washing dishes by hand and don't run rinse water continuously.
• Keep a container of drinking water in the fridge — save 20 to 30 gallons a month.
• Choose a front-loading washing machine over top — loading models, run only full loads — save up to 30 gallons per wash.
• Regenerate your water softener only as needed rather than automatically — save 50 gallons each cycle.
• Collect water from dehumidifiers to water plants — it's great for plants because it's chlorine and salt free.

In the Bathroom

• Install low-flow showerheads to reduce waste — save 5 to 8 gallons a minute.
• Limit showers to five minutes — be ultra conserving, turn the water off while you lather, then on again when you're ready to rinse.
• Running your shower's hot water to warm up the bathroom wastes 5 gallons a minute.
• Opt for short showers over baths — every inch of bath water in a standard sized tub represents 5 gallons of water.
• Turn off the faucet while brushing your teeth, lathering your hands and while shaving — save up to 10 gallons a day.
• Install a low-flow toilet — save up to 5 gallons per flush. Better yet, convert your current toilet to a dual — flush option.
• Use the toilet only for its intended purpose — dispose of facial tissues or paper products in the trash or recycling.

In the Yard and Garden

• Mulch trees and plants — save 750 — 1,500 gallons a month.
• Water in the early morning hours to avoid evaporation — save 300 gallons a month.
• Replace your lawn with native grasses or plants — save 750 — 1,500 gallons a month.
• Set lawn mower blades one notch higher — save 500 — 1,500 gallons a month.
• Use a pool cover to cut down on evaporation — save 1,000 gallons a month.
• Instead of buying water slides and sprinkler toys, let the kids play in the sprinkler when you're watering the lawn.
• Use a sensor instead of a timer on automatic sprinklers so they run only when the lawn needs water.
• Sweep your driveway or sidewalk rather cleaning them with a hose.

Things to Think About:

• While the average American drinks under a half a gallon of water a day, our daily diets require hundreds of gallons of water to produce.
• One 8 ounce serving of beef requires 1,350 gallons
• One 8 ounce serving of chicken requires 330 gallons
• One latte requires 53 gallons
• One 8 ounce serving of milk requires 48 gallons
• One orange requires 14 gallons
• One tomato requires 8 gallons
• A typical Thanksgiving dinner for six requires over 30,000 gallons
• It takes 1.85 gallons of water to manufacture the plastic bottle containing 12-ounces of water

*Adapted from A Pocket Guide to Reducing Your Water Footprint, produced by the Water Resources Center, University of Minnesota.