| 25. |
Letting the water run when brushing your teeth or shaving. Two gallons per minute are wasted. Installing a low flow aerator on your faucet can save more than 140 gallons of water a month. |
| 24. |
Running the faucet until it becomes cool instead of refrigerating a container of drinking water. |
| 23. |
Not using a stopper when filling the sink to wash dishes by hand. |
| 22. |
Setting the temperature very high in your spa or pool. Warmer water evaporates more quickly. |
| 21. |
Running a dishwasher that is not full. |
| 20. |
Taking long showers without using a low flow showerhead. Reducing your shower time by just 1-2 minutes can save up to 700 gallons per month. Using a low flow showerhead can save up to 800 gallons of water per month. |
| 19. |
Not repairing leaky faucets. Grab a wrench, it’s simple and can save up to 140 gallons a week. |
| 18. |
Over-filling the bathtub instead of using the necessary amount. Bathing babies, small children and pets typically require less than a full bathtub. |
| 17. |
Washing less than full loads in the clothes washer. Typical clothes washers use 35-50 gallons per load whether full or not. |
| 16. |
Not regularly checking and repairing leaks inside the home (e.g. bathtubs, faucets, and toilets). |
| 15. |
Not replacing pre-1993 toilets with ultra low flush or high efficiency toilets. Toilets installed prior to 1993 use almost 2 gallons more water per flush. |
| 14. |
Using the toilet as a wastebasket. Wastes up to 5 gallons per flush. |
| 13. |
Not using a pool cover which reduces water loss due to normal evaporation. |
| 12. |
Watering on windy days. Water often is blown onto the walkway or driveway. Also water evaporates faster on windy days. |
| 11. |
Installing plants that require constant watering or are not appropriate for Sacramento’s climate. |
| 10. |
When irrigating the yard, watering the pavement. Check your sprinklers and adjust them to water the landscape, not the pavement. |
| 9. |
Not using compost or mulch to reduce water runoff and evaporation. |
| 8. |
Not seasonally checking the irrigation system(s) for leaks. |
| 7. |
Using the garden hose to wash down sidewalks instead of using a broom. A garden hose can use more than 10 gallons of water per minute! |
| 6. |
Not using soaker hoses or drip irrigation in flower beds which can save up to 50% of water used compared to sprinklers. |
| 5. |
Using the garden hose without a shutoff nozzle. Pick up your nozzle at SSWD’s administrative office during business hours. |
| 4. |
Watering more than three days a week during hot weather. Water your lawn efficiently up to three times per week to assure that moisture reaches deep down to the roots. |
| 3. |
Not watering between 9:00 a.m. and Noon or after 8:00 p.m. when water evaporation is minimal. |
| 2. |
Watering when it is not necessary. |
| 1. |
and the Number 1 way people waste water…….. Overwatering the lawn! Too much water results in water running off the lawn. Don’t be a gutter flooder! |