Water—it’s the most important resource on our planet, essential for life, food, and almost everything we do. Yet, freshwater is incredibly limited, making up only a tiny fraction of the world’s water supply. With a growing global population and changing climate patterns, learning to save water is one of the most powerful and practical things we can do every single day.
It’s not about huge, drastic changes; it’s about shifting small, everyday habits. Did you know that household leaks alone can waste nearly 1 trillion gallons of water annually nationwide? That’s a huge waste of money and a burden on our environment!
Ready to become a water-saving superhero? Here are 10 practical, easy-to-implement tips to help you save water both inside and outside your home, starting today.
The Great Indoors: Bathroom and Kitchen Fixes
Most of the water we use in our homes is in the bathroom. Making simple changes here can have a massive impact.
1. Fix That Drip, Quickly!
That persistent drip, drip, drip from a leaky faucet isn’t just annoying—it’s a huge source of waste. A single faucet dripping at the rate of one drip per second can waste over 3,000 gallons of water per year!
- The Solution: Get handy or call a plumber. Most dripping faucets just need a quick fix like a new washer or gasket. Also, check your toilets! A running toilet can silently waste hundreds of gallons a day. You can use a few drops of food coloring in the tank; if the color seeps into the bowl without flushing, you have a leak.
2. Turn Off the Tap While Brushing
This is probably the easiest habit to change! We often let the water run while we scrub our teeth, but leaving the faucet running for just two minutes can waste several gallons of water.
- The Solution: Turn the water on to wet your brush and rinse your mouth, and keep it off while you are actually brushing. This simple act can save you around 8 gallons of water a day! Apply the same rule when shaving or washing your hands.
3. Embrace the Short Shower
Showers generally use much less water than baths, but long, hot showers still add up. A typical bath can use around 36 gallons of water, while a 10-minute shower can use 25 gallons or more.
- The Solution: Try to limit your shower time to five minutes or less. Put on a short song and challenge yourself to be done before it ends. For an extra boost, install a low-flow showerhead, which can save an average family up to 2,700 gallons of water per year without sacrificing pressure!
4. Full Loads Only for Appliances
Whether it’s the washing machine or the dishwasher, running them half-empty uses the same amount of water as a full load.
- The Solution: Wait until you have a full load before hitting the “Start” button. For the dishwasher, skip pre-rinsing your plates—modern dishwashers are very efficient, and just scraping off food scraps is usually enough.
5. Capture the ‘Warm-Up’ Water
How often do you let the shower or kitchen faucet run while you wait for the water to get hot? All that perfectly good cold water goes straight down the drain.
- The Solution: Place a bucket, large jug, or watering can in the shower or under the tap while the water warms up. You can use this captured water for non-drinking tasks like watering houseplants, flushing the toilet, or filling up the kettle.
Outside the Home: Garden and Yard Savings
In many regions, outdoor use—watering lawns and gardens—accounts for a significant portion (sometimes over 50%) of domestic water use.
6. Time Your Garden Watering
Watering during the hottest part of the day means most of the water simply evaporates before it can reach the plant roots.
- The Solution: Water your garden early in the morning (before 9 am) or in the evening (after 6 pm). The lower temperatures and calmer winds mean your plants get the water they need, and you reduce losses to evaporation.
7. Use Mulch, Your Garden’s Water Blanket
Mulch (wood chips, straw, or compost) acts like a protective blanket for your soil.
- The Solution: Apply a layer of organic mulch around your plants and garden beds. This layer drastically reduces water evaporation from the soil’s surface, suppresses weed growth (which steals water), and helps the soil hold onto moisture longer. It can save you up to 75% of water lost to evaporation!
8. Swap the Hose for a Broom
It’s tempting to grab the hose to clean the dirt, leaves, or grass clippings off your driveway, patio, or sidewalk.
- The Solution: Use a broom or rake instead! Sweeping your hard surfaces is just as effective and saves hundreds of gallons of water. If you must use a hose for cleaning your car, use a bucket of soapy water and a squeeze nozzle on your hose for rinsing.
9. Harvest Free Rainwater
Nature provides the water; you just need to collect it!
- The Solution: Install a rain barrel under one of your roof downspouts. This system captures rainwater runoff that you can then use for watering your plants and garden. It’s free, natural, and reduces the demand on your municipal water supply.
10. Choose Water-Wise Plants
Do you live in an area prone to dry weather? Your landscape design can be a huge water saver.
- The Solution: Look for drought-tolerant, native plants that thrive in your local climate. They require minimal supplemental watering once their roots are established. By planning your garden with water-wise plants, you can enjoy a beautiful yard that is much easier on your water bill.
Remember, every small action you take ripples out into big savings for your wallet and the planet.