Water Conservation and Efficient Use Toolkit
Indoor Water Conservation - Ways to Save Water in Your Home
1. Turn off the faucet while brushing your teeth.
2. Only run the washing machine and dishwasher when you have full loads.
3. Use a low flow shower head and faucet aerators.
4. Fix leaks.
5. Install a dual flush, or low flow, toilet, or put a conversion kit on your existing toilet.
6. Monitor you water use on your water bill, and ask your local government about a home water audit.
7. Share your knowledge about saving water through conservation and efficiency with your neighbors and community!
Outdoor Water Conservation - Ways to Save Water Outside Your Home
1. Water your lawn only when it needs it. A good way to see if your lawn needs water is to step on the grass. If it springs back up when you move, it doesn’t need water. If it stays flat, fetch the sprinkler. Don't overwater your lawn or water during peak periods, and install rain sensors on irrigation systems.
2. Deep soak your lawn. When you do water, do it long enough for the moisture to soak down to the roots where it will do the most good. A light sprinkling can evaporate quickly and tend to encourage shallow root systems.
3. Water during the cool part of the day to avoid evaporation. Early morning is generally better than dusk since it helps prevent growth of fungus.
4. Don’t water the pavement. Position your sprinkler so water lands on the lawn or garden, not on paved areas. Also avoid watering on windy days.
5. Plant drought-resistant trees and plants. Many beautiful trees and plants thrive with far less watering than other plants.
6. Put a layer of mulch around trees and plants. Mulch will slow evaporation or moisture and discourage weed growth, too.
7. Use a broom, not a hose, to clean driveways and sidewalks.
8. Don’t run the hose while washing your car. Clean the car with a bucket of soapy water. Use the hose just to rinse it off. Better yet, use a commercial car wash that recycles water.
9. Set mower blades one notch higher since longer grass means less evaporation.
10. Install a rain barrel for outdoor watering.
11. Plant a rain garden for catching stormwater runoff from your roof, driveway, and other hard surfaces. Click here for building code guidance for rainwater harvesting.
Graphic: City of Calgary.