Indoor and Outdoor Residential Water Conservation Checklist

Your water-delivery system
Effective water conservation requires awareness, involvement and education. To understand your water-delivery system, know the following information:

• The name and location of the company that provides your water, as well as contact information for the company's chief executive and public education/public relations officials.
  
  
• Who the water-policy decision-makers are in your municipality or area, how they are selected (elected or appointed) and the length of their terms of office.
  
  
• How water-use policies and rates are set and modified, including names and contact information for officials.
  
  
• When and where announcements of public water-policy meetings are published (newspapers) or posted (office and/ or Web sites).
  
  
• The source(s) of water used within the system (e.g., lakes, streams, groundwater or aquifer) and how to track stability and quality of supply.
  
  
• The water supplier's long-term and short-term contingency plans to ensure availability.
  
  
• The rate structure for residential, commercial or industrial water use, with possible seasonal modifications. (Note: Water-use billings may or may not include sewage-treatment fees, or they may be linked to potable water volume.)
  
  
• The location of the on-site water meter and how to read it and calculate the quantity of water used between readings.

Indoor water conservation

• Repair all water leaks immediately and be especially alert for leaks in toilets and faucets.
  
  
• Install and maintain ultra-flow toilets. Alternately, convert existing toilets to low-flow units with a tank dam or even bricks.
  
  
• Install and maintain flow restrictors (aerators) on faucets.
  
  
• Install and maintain low-flow showerheads.
  
  
• Limit showering time to 5 minutes.
  
  
• Do not use toilets as wastebaskets or ashtrays.
  
  
• Turn off water when shaving and brushing teeth.
  
  
• Scrape food off dishes without water prior to rinsing.
  
  
• Operate dishwasher only when it is fully loaded.
  
  
• Operate clothes washer only when it is loaded to maximum capacity.
  
  
• Rather than run the tap for cool drinking water, keep a filled container in the refrigerator.
  
  
• While waiting for running water to warm or cool for use on plants or in cleaning, capture flow for other uses.

Outdoor water conservation

• Cover pools, spas and other water features when not in use to minimize evaporation.
  
  
• Clean sidewalks, driveways and patios by sweeping rather than by spraying with a hose.
  
  
• Wash car(s) with a bucket of water rather than a running hose. If possible, drive your vehicle onto the lawn so that all of the water can be absorbed into the landscape.
  
  
• Restrict or eliminate use of hose-end water toys. If possible, combine use of water for play with landscape needs.
  
  
• Properly prune or trim trees, shrubs and other woody plants to maximize the plants' health and minimize invasion by pests.
  
  
• Frequently remove dead or dying plants and all weeds that compete for available water.
  
  
• Apply fertilizers or pesticides at minimal levels, timed to specific needs of the plants.
  
  
• Maintain sharp blades on pruning shears and lawn mowers.
  
  
• Cultivate planting beds periodically to decrease compaction and improve infiltration of water, air and nutrients into root zones.
  
  
• Mulch flower and garden areas as well as trees and shrubs.
  
  
• "Harvest" water from rainfall and snowmelt for landscape irrigation purposes.
  
  
• Use recycled or non-potable water to the greatest extent possible, as limited by supply and/or regulation.
  
  
• At least once a year, confirm that all irrigation systems are distributing water uniformly and inspect, repair and/or adjust in-ground or drip watering systems.
  
  
• Use water timers or flow meters for hose-end watering to ensure proper amounts are applied.
  
  
• Immediately shut off irrigation systems(s) and adjust whenever irrigation water falls onto or runs hard surfaces such as sidewalks, streets or driveways.
  
  
• Repair all water leaks as soon as detected. (This includes leaking hose couplings, hose bib leaks and similar connections.)
  
  
• When buying plants, select those that have scientifically documented low water requirements.
  
  
• Determine specific water requirements for all existing landscape plants.
  
  
• Adjust controllers for in-ground or drip watering systems according to seasonal needs of plants.
  
  
• Water landscape plants only when necessary according to needs of each plant type.
  
  
• Water early in the morning when temperatures and winds are at their lowest levels to reduce evaporation.
  
  
• Water all plants deeply but infrequently to encourage deeper healthier rooting.

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