Running a water efficient home is not as hard as you might think.  With a few simple changes, you can reduce your water consumption by thousands of gallons.  The result is water conservation as well as savings.  Here are 10 ways to save water in your daily activities.  This is part one of a two part series.

10 Water Saving Tips for Your Home

1. Instead of letting the water run to rinse dishes when washing by hand, fill a vessel or second sink with rinse water.
2. Run your dishwasher only when full – this could save you 500 gallons per month.
3. Clean your vegetables and produce from a pan that is partially full instead of running water from the tap.
4. Shop for new appliances with load size and temperature controls.
5. Got a fish tank?  When you clean it, use that water to nourish your house plants.  The water will provide much needed nitrogen and phosphorus – free fertilizer to your plants.
6. Check for water leaks in your toilet by placing food coloring in your toilet tank.  Wait an hour or so.  If you see color in the toilet bowl without flushing, you have a leak.
7. Washing a load of laundry consumes a lot of water, be sure to match the water level to the size of the load.
8. Save 750 gallons of water a month by switching to an energy efficient showerhead.
9. Soak those pots and pans instead of running water on them, you’ll save water and make clean up a bit easier.
10. A family of four can save 200 gallons a week just by turning off the water while brushing their teeth.

These simple tips will help you conserve water and reduce your water bill.  We’ll share more water saving tips in our next article.