Do not keep the tap running while you brush your teeth, as a running tap uses about 1.5 gallons of water per minute, according to Waterwise. Try to reduce the time you spend in the shower, as a shower can use up to 12 gallons of water per minute. Close the tap while brushing or soaping your body.
Fix tap, toilet or shower leaks. Until you solve the problem, collect the water dripping from showers and taps in buckets and use it later to water plants or clean the floors. A running toilet can waste as much as 2 gallons of water every minute, reports Waterwise. Leaking toilets are often a result of a worn flapper valve, a piece that can be replaced.
Always use dishwashers and washing machines fully loaded. When washing clothes, choose
the short and single-rinsing cycles when possible. When buying a new washing machine, choose a water-conserving model, such as a front-loading washer. Avoid rinsing dishes before washing them in the dishwasher. If you want to remove food leftovers, use your cutlery or a used paper napkin.
Put a rain barrel on your down-pipe to collect rain water, which you can later use in the garden or for washing your patio or car. By using rain water in such activities, where high standards of cleanness are not necessary, you are avoiding the use of drinking water and also save money.
Toilet flushing is responsible for about 30 percent of the daily water use in a household, according to Waterwise. Never use your toilet as a dustbin, as an unnecessary flush wastes a full cistern of water. When buying a new toilet, choose one with a dual flushing system, which can operate efficiently with less water.