Kitchen

• Keep a bowl in sink to catch water. To avoid turning on faucet, use this water to rinse dishes prior to placing in dishwasher. If palin water or you use biodegradable soap pour water on compost pile or use to water plants.
• Before you rinse out permanent coffee filter place your counter compost bucket under faucet to save water for compost bin.
• Run dishwasher only when full.

Bathroom

• If you need to replace a toilet consider buying a dual flush toilet. Low-flow toilets use a maximum of 1.6 gallons per flush. Dual flush toilets enables you to use 0.8 gallons for a half flush and 1.6 gallons for a full flush. All toilets manufactured after 1994 use a maximum of 1.6 gallons/flush. Another option is to only flush when feces are in toilet. If you just urinate wait for another toilet visit or two before flushing. If you live in an area where permitted, consider installing a compostable toilet. They are in the public bathrooms at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary.
• Keep a bucket in bathroom to collect water when you are letting faucet run to get hot water.
• Keep the faucet off while brushing your teeth. Use a glass to rinse your mouth.

Outdoors

• Sweep driveways, steps, and walks rather than using a hose or blower.
• Water your garden only when needed. Water in the early morning or end of day to decrease evaporation. Consider using a soaker hose. Install rain barrels on your downspouts to conserve water, save money on your sewer/water bills, and decrease stormwater runoof.
• Consider using native plants in your garden as once they are established they require less water/maintenance than ornamentals.
• Use 2 inches of mulch around your flower beds and shrubs to maintain an even soil temperature and decrease evaporation. Keep mulch at least 3 inches away from trunk of trees to avoid rodent damage.