GWP Water Saving Tips

Your Challenge: Save 20 Gallons of Water Per Day

Our water conservation goal is to reduce our water use by 10%. If we each save 20 gallons of water per day, we can meet our water conservation goal. Our list not enough? Check out bewaterwise.com for more tips and tricks for conserving water.

Inside The Home

1. Cut your shower time by two minutes. A low flow showerhead uses 2½-3 gallons per minute. If you have a non-conserving showerhead, purchasing a low-flow one could help you save 15 gallons per shower.

   Saves 6 gallons

2. Turn off your faucet while brushing your teeth. A bathroom faucet uses 6 gallons per minute. Wet your brush, turn off the water, brush, then turn on to rinse.

   Saves 6 gallons

3. Turn off your faucet while shaving. Partially fill your sink with water to clean the blade.

   Saves 6-12 gallons

4. Fix faucet leaks. A steady dripping leak wastes 15-20 gallons of water per day. Glendale's "No Water Waste" Ordinance requires that leaks be repaired within 72 hours of discovery.

   Saves 20 gallons

5. Fill the bath tub half full. A full bath tub uses 36 gallons of water.

   Saves 18 gallons

6. Wash only full loads; reduce by one load per week. A clothes washer uses 30 gallons per load.

   Saves 30 gallons

7. Wash only full loads and reduce by one load per week. A dishwasher uses 15 gallons per load.

   Saves 15 gallons

8. Capture your tap water. While you wait for the water to get hot, catch the flow in a bucket or watering can. Use this water on your house plants or in your garden.

   Saves 200-300 gallons

9. Keep a container of drinking water in the refrigerator instead of running faucet for a cool drink.

   Saves 200-300 gallons

Outdoors

1. Don't leave the hose running while washing your car. Use a nozzle with an automatic shut off and a sponge and pail of soapy water.

   Saves 10 gallons per minute

2. Do you have a swimming pool? Use a pool cover.

   Save 30 gallons per day

3. Use a broom instead of a hose to clean driveways and walkways.

   Save 150 gallons each washing

4. Don't let your children play with a running garden hose.

   Save 10 gallons per minute

Landscaping Savings

Using low-water-use and native plants in your gardens is one of the best ways to reduce water use in your landscape. However, like all new plants, these plants also require a large amount of water until they are established. Now is not the time to begin retrofitting your landscape. We are not suggesting that you stop watering your yard, but you can conserve water by following these simple steps:

1. Water Savings Tip Video - Saving Your Landscape
2. Put a layer of mulch around trees and plants. This holds moisture in so you do not have to water as often. Dig basins to avoid run-off.

   Save 750 gallons per month

3. Set your lawn mower blades one notch higher. Longer grass will reduce evaporation and require less water for maintenance.

   Save 500 gallons per month

4. Step on your grass and see if it springs back when you lift your foot. If the grass springs back, no need to water today. If it lays down, time to water.

   Save 750-1500 gallons per month

5. Water before 10:00 am and after 5:00 pm - This is required by Glendale's "No Water Waste" Ordinance.
6. Check your irrigation system. Repair leaks and replace damaged sprinkler heads.
7. Try reducing each watering time by one minute. If your lawn and plants begin to show stress, resume the original time. If everything looks ok, keep using the new time, and good for you, you are conserving water.
8. When the present water crisis is over begin retrofitting your garden with low-water-use plants to be ready for the next dry period. You can be sure there will be one.