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The Toilet

Check for toilet leaks by adding food coloring to the tank. If the toilet is leaking, color will appear in the bowl within 30 minutes. Check the toilet for worn out, corroded, or bent parts. Consider purchasing LowFlow toilets that can reduce indoor water use by 20%.

Install a toilet dam or displacement device such as a bag or bottle to cut down on the amount of water needed for each flushing. Be sure installation does not interfere with operating parts.

Avoid unnecessary flushing. Dispose of tissues, insects, and other similar waste in the trash rather than the toilet.

If the toilet flush handle frequently sticks in the flush position, letting water run constantly, replace or adjust it.

The Shower/Bath

Replace your showerhead with an ultra low-flow version, saving up to 2.5 gallons per minute.

Take shorter showers. Try a "Navy" shower; get wet, turn off the water, soap and scrub, then turn the water on to rinse.

In the shower, instead of increasing the hot or cold water flow to adjust the water temperature, try decreasing the flow to achieve a comfortable water temperature.

Use the minimum amount of water needed for a bath by closing the drain first and filling the tub only 1/3 full. The initial burst of cold water can be warmed by adding hot water later.

Don't let the water run while shaving, washing your face, or brushing your teeth.

The Kitchen

Minimize the use of kitchen sink disposals; they require a lot of water to operate properly. Start a compost pile as an alternate method of disposing of food waste. For more information on composting, visit our composting section.

Store drinking water in the refrigerator rather than letting the tap run to get a cool glass of water.

Do not use running water to thaw meat or other frozen foods. Defrost them overnight in the refrigerator, or by using the defrost setting on your microwave.

Consider installing an instant water heater on your kitchen sink so you don’t have to let the water run while it heats up. This will reduce heating costs for your household.

Washing Dishes

When washing dishes by hand, fill one sink or basin with soapy water. Quickly rinse under a slow stream of water from the faucet. Use the dirty water to run your sink disposal if necessary.

Fully load automatic dishwashers; they use the same amount of water no matter how much is in them.

Buy dishwashers with water and energy saving options.

Appliances

Unlike your dishwasher, the amount of water your washing machine uses is adjustable; adjust according to load size.

Look for water saving washing machines and buy them. Horizontal loading machines use less water than top-loading machines.

Install a hot water recirculation device. By recirculating the water that would otherwise go down the drain, you can save 2-3 gallons of water for each shower taken or 16,500 gallons a year per household. This may mean an average annual savings of $50 on your water bill and $40 on your energy bill.

Install an air-to-air heat pump or air-conditioning system. Air-to-air models are just as efficient as water-to-air models and do not waste water.

Install water-softening systems only when necessary. Save water and salt by running the minimum amount of regeneration necessary to maintain water softness. Turn softeners off while on vacation.

Divert From the Drain

Never put water down the drain when there may be another use for it such as watering a plant or garden, or cleaning.

Reuse fish tank water on your household plants -- it makes nice fertilizer, too.

Maintenance

Verify that your home is leak free, because many homes have hidden water leaks. Read your water meter before and after a two-hour period when no water is being used. If the meter does not read exactly the same, there is a leak.

Repair dripping faucets by replacing washers. If your faucet is dripping at the rate of one drop per second, you can expect to waste 2,700 gallons per year.

Retrofit all wasteful household faucets by installing aerators with flow restrictors.

Insulate your water pipes. You'll get hot water faster and avoid wasting water.

Check your pump. If you have a well at your home, listen to see if the pump turns on and off while the water is not in use. If it does, you have a leak.

Information Courtesy:earth911.org