· Don't flush the toilet every time you use it - as the saying goes: "If it's yellow let it mellow if it's brown flush it down".
· Install a dual-flush toilet - then if necessary you can use a short flush for urine and a longer flush for the rest.
· Put a suitable container in your toilet cistern - this could be a brick or plastic container or so-called hippo and it will restrict the amount of water used with each flush.
· Turn off the tap when you brush your teeth - a running tap uses more water than necessary. · Take a shower instead of a bath - a conventional shower (as opposed to a power shower) uses around two-thirds less water than a bath.
· Don't use more water than you need to boil the kettle - if you're only making one or two cups of tea/coffee, you simply don't need to fill the kettle.
· Keep a jug of water in the fridge - then, when you want really cold water, you don't have to run the tap to get it.
· Don't run taps to rinse washing up - again this uses more water than you need for the task.
· Use cold, waste water to wash out jars for recycling - it does the job just as well.
· Only use the washing machine with a full load - even half-load cycles use more than half the water of a full load.
· Only use the dishwasher with a full load - if you have to buy more dishes and utensils, then do it.
· Never leave a tap dripping - if it needs a new washer, fix it.
· Don't use a garden sprinkler - it uses far too much water.
· Use plants that can withstand drought - Mediterranean species like lavenders, rosemary and cactus can survive with little water.
· Don't overreact to a brown lawn - it will come back with rain in the autumn.
· Use 'grey' water on the garden - this is old bath and washing up water (a reasonable amount of detergent will be no problem).
· Collect rain water - this is most easily done with the installation of a rain butt.
· Consider rainwater 'harvesting' - this is the posh version of a water butt and consists of a large tank that collects rain from the house guttering and pumps it into the home to be used for flushing the toilet.
· Wash the car with a sponge and bucket - a hosepipe uses far too much water.
· Consider installing a water meter - then you'll only pay for the water you actually use and having a precise measure will encourage you to monitor your water usage..
· Report burst pipes immediately to the local water company - then make sure the burst is fixed as soon as possible.
· Install a temperature controlled hot water recirculation valve, which provides instant hot water (so water is not wasted down the drain waiting for water to run hot at your faucet or shower). The Hot Water Lobster Instant Hot Water Valve is a simple DIY installation (no water pump required) and can save an average household up to 17,000 gallons per year. Adding this eco-friendly hot water recirculating system to your plumbing not only provides faster hot water, it also saves energy costs and can prevent pipe freezing.
