Be Water Efficient All Around When You Save Water, You Save Money Inside Kitchen If you wash dishes by hand, avoid running the water continuously. Instead, fill one sink with wash water and one with rinse water. Doing so will save 200 gallons a week for a family of four. Run your washing machine and dishwasher only when they are full, and you could save 1,000 gallons a month. Leaking faucets as small as 1/16 inch can drip away 100 gallons very quickly. Replace worn washers and valve seals. Install flow restrictors or aerators on all faucets. Bathroom Install flow restrictors or aerators on all faucets Time your shower to keep it under five minutes. You can save up to 1,000 gallons a month. Turn off the water when brushing your teeth or shaving to save four gallons a minute. That equates to 200 gallons a week for a family of four. Fix leaks by replacing faucets and toilet flappers as needed. Listen for dripping faucets and toilets that flush themselves. Fixing a leak can save 500 gallons each month. Laundry Use the appropriate water level when running your washing machine. If you're washing a small load of clothing, adjust the water level accordingly. Check all washing machine hose connections for leaks. Fixing a leak can save 500 gallons each month. Outside Pools & Spas Use a pool cover to reduce water evaporation when the pool is not being used. Keep the water level in your pool midrange of decorative tile to minimize loss from splashing. Faucets Leaking faucets as small as 1/16 inch can drip away 100 gallons very quickly. Replace worn washers and valve seals. Use a hose nozzle and turn off the water when washing your car and save more than 100 gallons of water. Try to wash your car on the lawn and not the pavement so excess water can return to the ground instead of evaporating. Don't use a hose to clean sidewalks and driveways. Use a broom and save up to 80 gallons of water every time. Irrigation Only irrigate when needed. If the grass does not spring back when you step on it, then watering is needed. Otherwise, it is best for both your lawn and our water supply to wait. Avoid watering between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. year-round. If only your grass or garden area needs watering, consider shutting off the other zones. Landscape with native and drought tolerant plants. Call Sunshine 811 at least 48 hours before digging to have underground utility lines, pipes and cables marked for FREE. Check out our Irrigation System FAQ page for more information.