1.  Turn the water off while you brush your teeth and save over two gallons a minute

2.  Fix dripping faucets and running toilets.  A leaky faucet that drips at a rate of one drop per second can waste up to 2,700 gallons a  year.

3.  Save water and money by choosing efficient shower heads, dishwashers, and other appliances.  Look for the water sense labels.

4.  Only run your washing machine and dish washer when they are full.

5.  Dispose of chemicals properly at a hazardous waste drop off center- don't pour them on the ground, into the sewer or down the drain.

 

6.  Avoid using pesticides or herbicides on your yard and garden-the chemicals can contaminate groundwater and streams and can also hurt kids and pets.

7.  In the yard, use mulch to keep moisture  from leaving the soil and minimize the need to water.

8.  If you must water the lawn water in the early morning or evening and try to avoid watering on windy days. This will limit the amount of water that is evaporated by the sun or blown onto sidewalks and driveways.

9.  Plant a rain garden to add beauty to your yard, while absorbing and filtering runoff.  Water absorbed in a rain garden will filter pollution otherwise headed for streams.

10.  Use a rain barrel to collect rain and help water your plants.  Forty percent of the average homeowners water use is outdoors.  Rain barrels reduce the stress on municipal water systems during the dry summer months.