Low Water Response

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In the Yard	•	Don't water lawns and gardens when a municipal water shortage warning is in effect.
	•	If you must water, only water gardens and lawns once a week, no more than one inch in total, including rain.
	•	Avoid watering on windy days.
	•	Water your lawn and plants in the morning — evaporation occurs at a slower rate than if you watered in the hot sun.
	•	Cut grass less frequently.
	•	Cut grass higher it reduces evaporation and increases moisture.
	•	Compost your food leftovers and leaves — add compost to lawns and gardens
	•	Leave grass clippings on the lawn, they help retain moisture.
	•	Collect and use rainwater for your lawn and gardens — it's free and better for your plants than municipally supplied water or well water. Consider buying a rain barrel.
	•	Fix that leaking hose and dripping nozzle.
	•	Plant drought resistant plants — convert your lawns to low-care perennials.
	•	Plant more trees around your house to reduce energy needs.

Your Car	•	Don't wash your car when a municipal water shortage warning is in effect.
	•	Use Commercial car washes that recycle their water.
	•	If you do wash your car, do it on the lawn. Use a buck of soapy water and the bare minimum to rinse it off.

In the Kitchen	•	Rinse fruits and vegetables by putting a little water in the sink or a bowl instead of running water.
	•	When hand washing dishes, plug the drain and do them all at once.
	•	Run the dishwasher with full loads only.
	•	Defrost frozen foods in the refrigerator or the microwave, not under running water.
	•	For cold water to drink, keep a jug in the fridge instead of running the tap.

In the Bathroom	•	Install a low-flush toilet or install a toilet dam in your toilet tank to reduce water use.
	•	Keep showers to five minutes or less.
	•	Consider buying a water efficient showerhead.
	•	If you must take a bath, fill the tub with only the amount of water really needed to clean yourself (1/4 full).
	•	When cleaning your teeth, don’t keep the tap running, use a glass to rinse. Rinsing a toothbrush under a tap wastes about 4,000 litres of water a year.
	•	Replace all leaky tap washers, they can waste more than 400 litres of water a day. Repair all leaks in pipes and toilets as well.

Laundry		Rinse clothes in cold water, they come out as clean as those rinsed in warm water.
		Washing in warm rather than hot water uses 50 per cent less energy. Or consider washing in cold water
		Wash clothes only when you have a full load.