Top tips for conserving water

Turn off the water while you lather your body, wash your hair or shave in the shower.
— Submitted by a UGA community member

When waiting for the shower to get hot, capture the water in a bucket. Use it for pet’s drinking water, watering plants, various household cleaning jobs or for flushing the toilet.
— Submitted by a UGA community member

Save the water from cooking (boiling eggs or pasta, steaming vegetables) to use on your plants.
— Submitted by a UGA community member

Only fill the dog/cat water dish half full. You’ll waste less water when it’s time to refill (don’t forget to pour the old water on plants).
— Submitted by a UGA community member

Use an electric shaver instead of a razor.
— Submitted by a UGA community member

When brewing a pot of coffee or tea, only make the amount of cups you intend to drink instead of a full pot.
— Submitted by a UGA community member

Install a showerhead with a pause feature which will slow the flow of water when soaping up or shampooing, while keeping the temperature constant.
— Submitted by a UGA community member

Carry your own drinking bottle to use at water fountains.
— Submitted by a UGA community member

Instead of discarding small amounts of water left in drinking glasses, use it to water plants, etc.
— Submitted by a UGA community member

TIP #1
Keep a pitcher of water in the refrigerator instead of running the tap for cold drinks, so that every drop goes down you and not the drain.

TIP #2
Use a commercial car wash that recycles water.

TIP #3
Use a compost pile instead of a garbage disposal to dispose of food waste.

TIP #4
Eat leftovers to minimize water used for food preparation

TIP #5
When washing dishes by hand, don't let the water run while rinsing. Fill one sink with wash water and the other with rinse water.

TIP #6
If you notice leaky toilets or faucets on the UGA Athens campus, report them to the Physical Plant work order desk at 706/542-7456.

TIP #7
Run your washing machine and dishwasher only when they are full.

TIP #8
Wash your produce in the sink or a pan that is partially filled with water instead of running water from the tap.

TIP #9
Replace your showerhead with a water-efficient one

TIP #10
Collect the water you use for rinsing produce and reuse it to water houseplants.

TIP #11
Keep your showers to under 5 minutes.

TIP #12
When doing laundry, match the water level to the size of the load.

TIP #13
Turn off the water while you brush your teeth

TIP #14
Make sure there are aerators on all of your faucets.

TIP #15
Drop that tissue in the trash instead of flushing it.

TIP #16
When you give your pet fresh water, don't throw the old water down the drain. Use it to water your trees or shrubs.

TIP #17
Turn off the water while you shave.

TIP #18
If you accidentally drop ice cubes when filling your glass from the freezer, don't throw them in the sink. Drop them in a house plant instead.

TIP #19
When you are washing your hands, don't let the water run while you lather.

TIP #20
While staying in a hotel or even at home, reuse your towels.

TIP #21
Cook food in as little water as possible.

TIP #22
Thaw food in the fridge, not under a running faucet.

TIP #23
Discontinue use of ornamental water features (required at level 4 drought).

TIP #24
Mulch to retain water around plants.

TIP #25
Use a broom instead of water to sweep your driveway clean (required at level 4 drought).

TIP #26
Check outdoor faucets, pipes, and hoses for leaks.

TIP #27
Install covers on pools and spas and check for leaks around your pumps.

TIP #28
Remove the drain spout from your gutters and put a 30-gallon trash can under the hole where the water from the gutter drains. Even a small rain will fill it up, because you are getting all of the rain that hit a big area of roof!.

TIP #29
When running the shower or the kitchen faucet to warm water before showering or washing dishes, use buckets to catch the water and use it later to help fill the washer to wash clothes.

TIP #30
Only fill the bathtub as much as you need.

TIP #31
Bathe babies and small children together when possible to conserve water.

TIP #32
Consider installing an instant water heater on your sinks so you don't have to let the water run while it heats up. This will reduce water heating costs for your household.

TIP #33
Soak pots and pans instead of letting the water run while you scrape them clean.

TIP #34
If you are hand laundering your clothes, put a stopper in the washtub for both wash and rinse. Letting the faucet run will waste your water!

Select plants that match the existing light conditions; they will grow better and require less water.

Match surface and soil drainage conditions to plant moisture requirements.

Select plants that grow well in the temperature ranges of the area.

Select plants that are regionally adapted to the average rainfall of the area.

Preserve established vegetation growing on a site; it has an extensive root system and requires less irrigation water than newly planted trees and shrubs.

Space plants according to their mature size to reduce competition for water.

Concentrate seasonal color in small, high impact areas to reduce overall water requirements.

Avoid constructing raised beds under trees due to root competition for available water.

Develop a landscape plan BEFORE designing an irrigation system.

Incorporate shade trees into the landscape to reduce evaporative water loss.

Select and group plants according to their water needs and drought tolerance.

Avoid small, irregular-shaped island plantings in turfgrass areas because they are difficult to irrigate.

Move or eliminate plants not suited to the existing site conditions and irrigation.