Water Saving Tips
Residential: Indoors
Tips |
Savings |
| Run the dishwasher only when full | 2-4.5 gallons per load |
| Turn off water when rinsing dishes | 2.5 gallons per minute |
| Turn off water when brushing teeth | 2 gallons per minute |
| Shorten showers | 2.5 gallons per minute |
| Fill the bathtub half full while bathing | 15-25 gallons per bath |
| Don’t use the toilet as a wastebasket | 1.6 gallons per flush |
| Wash only full loads of clothes | 15-50 gallons per load |
| Fix leaky toilets | 30-50 gallons per day per toilet |
| Fix leaky faucets | 15-20 gallons per day per leak |
| Install aerators with flow restrictors on kitchen/bathroom faucets | 4.7 gallons per day |
| Replace older, inefficient clothes washers | 20- 30 gallons per load |
| Replace older, high-volume flushing toilets | 2.2-3.8 gallons per flush |
Residential: Landscape Irrigation
Tips |
Savings |
| Water only before 8 a.m. and after 6 p.m. to reduce evaporation and interference from wind | 20-25 gallons per day |
| Don't overwater! | 15-25 gallons for each minute; up to 250 gallons per cycle |
| Adjust sprinklers to prevent overspray and run-off | 15-25 gallons per day |
| Repair leaks and broken sprinkler heads | 20 gallons per day per leak |
| Add 2" to 3" of mulch around trees and plants to reduce evaporation | 20-30 gallons per day per 1,000 sq. ft. |
| Install water-efficient drip irrigation system for trees, shrubs, and flowers to get water to the plant's roots more efficiently | 20-25 gallons per day |
| Upgrade to a "smart irrigation controller" that automatically adjusts watering times for hotter weather, and shuts down the system when it rains | 40 gallons per day |
| Replace a portion of lawn with beautiful native and California Friendly plants. NOTE: These plants do best when planted after winter rains begin. | 33 to 60 gallons per day per 1,000 sq. ft. depending on climate |
Residential: Outdoor Areas
Tips |
Savings |
| Use a broom instead of a hose to clean driveways and sidewalks | 8-18 gallons per minute |
| Eliminate or reduce use of power washing equipment. Instead, use brooms, dustpans, damp towels and wet-mops to eliminate grime | 8-18 gallons per minute |
| Adjust your pressure reducer (if you have one) to keep pressure between 40 and 60 p.s.i. | Varies |
| Don't leave the hose running while washing your car. Get a self closing nozzle to make it easier | 8-18 gallons per minute |
| Repair any leaks around pool and spa pumps. | 20 gallons per day per leak |
| Repair leaking hose bibs | 15-20 gallons per day per leak |
| Install covers on pool and spas to reduce evaporation | 30 gallons per day |
| Install pressure reducer if your pressure is greater than 80 p.s.i. | Varies |
Commercial: Landscape Irrigation
Tips |
Savings |
Nurseries and commercial growers may water their products any day of the week, but only between 6 p.m. and 10 a.m. |
20-25 gallons per day per valve |
Don’t over-water landscaping: |
25-50 gallons per valve for each minute of irrigation eliminated |
Use a broom or blower instead of a hose to clean driveways and sidewalks |
150 gallons or more per use |
Adjust sprinklers to prevent overspray and run-off |
15-20 gallons per day per valve |
Repair leaks and broken sprinkler heads. |
20 gallons per day per leak |
Add 2” to 3” of mulch around trees and plants to reduce evaporation |
40 gallons per day per valve/hydrozone |
Install water-efficient drip irrigation system for trees, shrubs, and flowers to get water to the plant’s roots more efficiently. |
20-25 gallons over day per valve/hydrozone |
Upgrade to a “smart irrigation controller” that automatically adjusts watering times for hotter weather, and shuts down the system when it rains. |
525 gallons/30 station controller |
Replace a portion of lawn with beautiful native and California Friendly plants. These plants do best |
33-60 gallons per day per valve |
For multifamily sites, upgrade irrigation hardware and equipment to stop leaks, reduce water use, and otherwise improve irrigation efficiency. |
900 gallons per day per acre |