We all want to save water. Not only is it the right thing to do with California's continued dry conditions, but it can also help you save on your water bill. When it comes to conserving water, small changes can have a big impact. The following is a list of things you can do outside and inside your home to see the potential water savings that can be realized from making simple changes.

Outdoors / Indoors

• There are many rebates available to upgrade your devices/appliances to save water at bewaterwise.com. 

Outdoors

• If you're serious about saving water, the first place you'll want to spend your energy is in your irrigation system. Most people don't know that sprinklers can use an incredible amount of water. For example, the typical spray sprinkler can use up to 15 gallons a minute. Multiply that by the number of minutes your system runs, times the number of valves you have, and it can add up fast! Fortunately, you don't have to tackle this issue alone.  Schedule a free water-use efficiency survey, where a certified landscape irrigation auditor will come to your property to identify specific areas of improvement to help you save water. Other outdoor tips include:
   
• Repair irrigation line leaks and broken sprinkler heads. Save up to 10 gallons per minute per leak.
  
  
• Adjust sprinklers to prevent overspray and runoff. Save up to 15 to 25 gallons per day.
  
  
• Don’t over water. (1) Reduce each irrigation cycle by 1 to 3 minutes or eliminate one irrigation cycle per week. Water only when the top inch of soil is dry. (2) Replace batteries in your irrigation controller each spring and fall, and adjust your programming based on the season. Save 15 to 25 gallons for each minute; up to 250 gallons per cycle.
  
  
• Use a hose nozzle that shuts off when you release the handle. Save up to 18 gallons per minute.
  
  
• Water in the late evening or early morning to reduce evaporation and interference from wind. Save 20 to 25 gallons per day.
  
  
• Apply a 3-inch layer of mulch over planting areas, keeping the mulch 6 inches away from plant stems and tree trunks to avoid mildew. Save 20 to 30 gallons per day per 1,000 square feet.
  
  
• Install drip irrigation systems for trees, shrubs and flowers to get water to plant roots more efficiently. Save 20 to 25 gallons per day.
  
  
• Turn off your irrigation 1 to 3 days before it’s expected to rain. Turn it back on when your soil is dry. This can save hundreds or potentially thousands of gallons. And speaking of rain, rain water harvesting is an excellent way to capture and reuse water that would otherwise go down the gutter.  Unless you have a very large system, you probably won't see a difference on your water bill, but every drop helps California and reduces storm water pollution.
  
  
• Check your irrigation timer after a power outage to verify that the timer hasn't reset back to the manufacturer's setting. This can waste a significant amount of water as the timer can run for 10 minutes a day per station, which you may not notice. To avoid this, always make sure the battery is fresh in your irrigation timer and check the timer after all power outages. For help programming your timer, sign up for a free water-use efficiency survey.
  
  
• Upgrade to a “smart” irrigation controller that automatically adjusts watering times for hotter weather and stops watering when it rains. Rebates may even be available for this type of product. Save 40 gallons per irrigation cycle.
  
  
• Replace your lawn with native or Mediterranean plants, trees, shrubs or ground cover. These plantings provide greenery for much of the year and demand less water. Save 33 to 60 gallons per day per 1,000 square feet, depending on climate
  
  
• Read “A Homeowner’s Guide to a WaterSmart Landscape”.

Indoors

• One of the biggest causes we see for high water bills is running toilets.  Water may be silently leaking out of your toilet through the worn rubber flapper.  As the water will drain from the tank, to the bowl and down the drain, you won't see water leaking onto the floor. Watch this video to see how to check for silent toilet leaks.

• Toilet leaks can also be caused from the water level in the tank being set too high, which causes the water to continually flow over the overflow tube and down the drain. Adjust the fill valve water level, ideally about an inch below the top of the tube.  (As toilet models have different fill valves, check your toilet manufacturer's details on how to adjust the valve). If you adjust the water level down and it continues to creep back up, your water pressure may be too high. Read our water pressure webpage to learn more about this important water device.
  
  
• Turn off the faucet while brushing teeth, shaving or scrubbing dishes.  Save 2 gallons per minute.
  
  
• Trim a minute or two off your shower and collect water in a bucket for plants while the water is warming up. Save 2.5 gallons per minute.
  
  
• Fill the bathtub halfway for bathing. Save 15 to 25 gallons per bath.
  
  
• Don’t use the toilet as a wastebasket. Save 1.6 gallons or more per flush.
  
  
• Fix leaky faucets. Save up to 15 to 20 gallons each day per leak.
  
  
• Install aerators with flow restrictors on kitchen and bathroom faucets. Save 4.7 gallons per day.
  
  
• Wash only full loads of laundry. Save up to 16 gallons per load.
  
  
• Run the dishwasher only when full. Save 2 to 4.5 gallons per load.
  
  
• Program dishwashers to skip the pre-rinse and extra-rinse cycles. Save 2 to 4 gallons per load.
  
  
• Fill your sink or basin when washing and rinsing dishes. When cooking, peel and clean vegetables in a large bowl of water instead of under running water.
  
  
• Do not use the garbage disposal to dispose of food waste. Place food waste in the trash, or composting is a great alternative.