Water Conservation Tips

🏠 Indoors

When washing dishes by hand, do not let the water run while rinsing. Fill one sink with wash water and the other with rinse water.
Evaporative coolers require a seasonal maintenance checkup. For more efficient cooling, check your evaporative cooler annually.
Run your washing machine and dishwasher only when they are full and you could save 1000 gallons a month.
Use the garbage disposal sparingly. Compost instead and save gallons every time.
Keep a pitcher of water in the refrigerator instead of running the tap for cold drinks, so that every drop goes down you not the drain.
Wash your produce in the sink or a pan that is partially filled with water instead of running water from the tap.
If your shower can fill a one-gallon bucket in less than 20 seconds, replace it with a water-efficient showerhead.
Collect the water you use for rinsing produce and reuse it to water houseplants.
When shopping for a new appliances, consider one offering cycle and load size adjustments.
Time your shower to keep it under 5 minutes. You will save up to 1000 gallons a month.
Install low-volume toilets.
Put food coloring in your toilet tank. If it seeps into the toilet bowl, you have a leak. It is easy to fix, and you can save more than 600 gallons a month.
Plug the bathtub before turning the water on, then adjust the temperature as the tub fills up.
Designate one glass for your drinking water each day. This will cut down on the number of times you run your dishwasher.
Do not use running water to thaw food.
When doing laundry, match the water level to the size of the load.
Teach your children to turn the faucets off tightly after each use.
Before you lather up, install a low-flow showerhead. They are inexpensive, easy to install, and can save your family more than 500 gallons a week.
Soak your pots and pans instead of letting the water run while you scrape them clean.
Turn off the water while you brush your teeth and save 4 gallons a minute. That is 200 gallons a week for a family of four.
Make sure your toilet flapper does not stick open after flushing.
Make sure there are aerators on all of your faucets.
Install an instant water heater on your kitchen sink so you do not have to let the water run while it heats up. This also reduces heating costs.
Cut back on rinsing if your dishwasher is new. Newer models clean more thoroughly than older ones.
If your toilet was installed prior to 1980, place a toilet dam or a bottle filled with water in the tank. Be sure it does not interfere with operating parts.
Install water softening systems only when necessary. Run the minimum regenerations needed to maintain water softness.
Wash clothes only when you have a full load and save up to 600 gallons each month.
Listen for dripping faucets and toilets that flush themselves. Fixing a leak can save 500 gallons each month.
Cook food in as little water as possible. This also retains more nutrients.
Turn the water off while you shampoo and condition your hair and you can save more than 50 gallons a week.
Choose new water-saving appliances, like washing machines that save up to 20 gallons per load.
Select the proper size pans for cooking. Large pans require more water than may be necessary.
If you drop ice cubes when filling a glass, place them in a plant instead of the sink.
To save water and time, consider washing your face or brushing your teeth while in the shower.
Keep a bucket in the shower to catch water as it warms up or runs. Use this water to flush toilets or water plants.
When you are washing your hands, do not let the water run while you lather.
Put fruit and vegetable trimmings in yard compost instead of the disposal.

Tip: Fixing leaks and upgrading fixtures are among the fastest ways to save water indoors.

🌳 Outdoors

Check your sprinkler system frequently and adjust sprinklers so only your lawn is watered and not the house, sidewalk, or street.
Avoid planting turf in areas that are hard to water such as steep inclines and isolated strips along sidewalks and driveways.
Install covers on pools and spas and check for leaks around your pumps.
Plant during the spring or fall when the watering requirements are lower.
Check your water meter and bill to track your water usage.
Minimize evaporation by watering during the early morning hours, when temperatures are cooler and winds are lighter.
Use a layer of organic mulch around plants to reduce evaporation and save hundreds of gallons of water a year.
Use a broom instead of a hose to clean your driveway or sidewalk and save about 80 gallons each time.
Divide your watering cycle into shorter periods to reduce runoff and allow better absorption.
Check outdoor faucets, pipes, and hoses for leaks.
Periodically check your pool for leaks if it auto-refills.
Only water your lawn when needed. If footprints remain on your lawn, it is time to water.
Raise mower height. Longer grass shades roots and holds moisture better.
Reuse fish tank water on your plants. It is rich in nutrients.
Use sprinklers for large areas and hand water small patches.
Use porous materials for walkways and patios to keep water on site.
Direct downspouts to shrubs and trees or collect for the garden.
Water summer lawns every three days and winter lawns every five days.
Install a rain shut-off device on automatic sprinklers.
Use drip irrigation for trees, shrubs, and flowers. Water at the roots and avoid overwatering.
Fix leaky faucets. A quick fix can save about 140 gallons a week.
Reduce grass area by adding shrubs and groundcover with rock or granite mulch.
Check sprinkler valves for leaks and keep heads in good condition.
Do not water on windy days.
Water plants deeply but less often to build stronger roots.
Know where your master shut-off valve is located for emergencies.
Use a soaker hose on steep slopes to prevent runoff.
Group plants with similar watering needs together.
Weed regularly. Weeds compete for water, light, and nutrients.
Apply fertilizer sparingly. It increases water demand.
Avoid fountains that spray into the air. Trickling styles evaporate less.
Use a commercial car wash that recycles water.
Avoid water toys that require a constant flow.
Use a rain gauge and skip irrigation when rainfall is sufficient.
Teach your family how to turn off sprinklers during malfunctions or storms.
Choose low-water plants when adding or replacing shrubs to save up to 550 gallons a year.
Mark pool water level and check after 24 hours. Normal loss should be no more than 1/4 inch per day.
Use a screwdriver as a soil probe. If it goes in easily, do not water.
Avoid overseeding with winter grass. Dormant Bermuda needs far less water.
Let kids play in areas that need irrigation the most.
Ensure pools, fountains, and ponds have recirculating pumps.
Landscape with Xeriscape plants suited to our climate.
Winterize outdoor spigots when temperatures dip to about 20°F to prevent bursts.
Insulate hot water pipes to cut wait time and waste.
Wash cars on the grass to water the lawn at the same time.
Redirect evaporative cooler drain water to your landscape.
Use a hose nozzle with shutoff and turn water off while washing the car.
Leave lower branches and leaf litter to cool soil and reduce evaporation.
Bermuda grass is dormant in winter and usually needs water only every 3 to 4 weeks, or less with rain.
Start a compost pile. Compost improves soil water-holding capacity.
Use sprinklers that throw large drops close to the ground. Fine mist often evaporates.
More plants die from overwatering than underwatering. Water only when needed.
Adjust watering schedules by season. For example, every third day in summer and every fifth day in winter.
Bathe pets outdoors in an area that needs water.
Water only as fast as the soil can absorb it.
Aerate lawns so water reaches roots instead of running off.
Reuse old pet water on trees or shrubs.
Consider using pool backwash water on landscaping where allowed.
For hanging baskets and pots, place ice cubes under the moss or soil for a slow drink and less overflow.

Reminder: Local watering rules may apply. Always check current BCVWD guidance.

📅 Seasonal Reminders

Adjust watering schedules throughout the year to avoid overwatering.
Winterize outdoor spigots during freezing months.
Raise mower blades in summer to protect soil moisture.
Collect rainwater to reuse on landscaping.

About Beaumont-Cherry Valley Water District

Image Gallery

Employee Portals