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P2 House - Water Conservation

Tips to Conserve Water Throughout Your Home

Laundry Room
  • Wash full loads
  • Soak clothes with heavy stains prior to washing
  • Avoid the extra rinse cycle
  • Wash your clothes on the cold cycle setting
  • Avoid extra-long drying cycles
  • Make sure the hose connections for the washer are tight
  • Maintain your washer and dryer and look for leaks
Prevent washing machine leaks by checking the following: 
  • An overloaded washer can leak when too much clothing or oversized items, such as comforters, are crammed in the tub.
  • Front loader washer leaks may be caused by using too much detergent or combining laundry products inappropriately.
  • Leaks from the back of new washers may occur when the manufacturer’s drain plug isn’t removed before installing the drain hose.
  • Make sure the drain hose is properly secured in the drain pipe.
  • Ensure that all the connections fit tight and are in good shape.
Bathroom and Kitchen
  • Shut off water when not in use (e.g. while brushing your teeth or washing dishes)
  • Consider using foaming hand soap instead of liquid (foaming soaps do not require the use of water to spread over hands)
  • Take showers, not baths.
  • Invest in water-saving devices, such as faucet aerators, low-flow faucets, water-efficient showerheads and dual-flush toilets.
  • Wash vegetables in a large bowl of water instead of running faucet water
  • Avoid using water to defrost frozen foods
  • Use the dishwasher to wash large loads of dishes
Outdoors
  • Plant desert-friendly vegetation, native plants and xeriscape  (landscaping involving proper planning and design, soil analysis and improvements, appropriate plant selection, practical turf, efficient irrigation and mulches, and appropriate maintenance)
  • Research and only use the amount of water your plants require
  • Use a broom, not a hose, to clean driveways and sidewalks
  • Ensure sprinklers are properly aligned to water plants
  • Purchase sprinklers with sensors that override automatic watering when moisture is detected
  • Avoid washing vehicles at home 
  • Don’t use water to clean gutters
  • Consider using greywater (water from bathtubs and wash basins) to water plants.
  • Check for leaks in sprinklers, pipes and hoses
  • Use a nozzle or spray attachment on the garden hose