Ideas and resources that help the whole family conserve water at home

Do you ever think about how much water is used in your home? According to one of our partners, Water – Use It Wisely, the average household in the Valley uses 120 gallons of water per person per day.

Day by day, those gallons add up. Over the past year with more time spent at home, that amount has likely increased.

As a provider of water to over half of the Valley, it’s no surprise that saving water is often top of mind for us. The good news is that we can all work together to conserve a little and save a lot. If you’re not sure where to begin, here are some water-saving resources and tips to get you started.

Use water wisely 

There are simple ways you can use water more wisely in your home. Start small by:

• Making sure everyone turns off the faucet while brushing their teeth and lathering hands with soap
• Only running the dishwasher or washing machine when you have a full load
• Keeping showers to 10 minutes or less

There are hundreds of ways you can save water, and they all start with you. Once you begin to seek out ways to conserve water at home, you’ll want to be aware of the potential water wasters – inside and out.

Identify leaks and conserve water at home

One of the biggest places to find water waste indoors? Your bathrooms. Believe it or not, toilets are one of the biggest water wasters in your home. Because they account for nearly 30% of your indoor water use, it’s important to look out for leaks and repair them quickly.

In the Valley, up to 70% of water use is outdoors. Things like your sprinkler system or your pool may be wasting water that you just haven’t noticed yet. Checking for leaks frequently in addition to using a smart irrigation controller can help conserve water outside.

If you’re in the process of redoing a yard, xeriscaping including low-water-use plants can save water for years to come. In the meantime, check your irrigation system, look for leaks and keep your eyes out for water damage around your home.  

Water-saving resources from Water – Use It Wisely

You’re not alone in your mission to cut back on water use. There are a variety of resources that can help you understand and adjust the way your family uses water in your home.

• Assess your home’s current water usage and look for water-saving opportunities with the Home Water Audit Tool.
• Save water year-round with this 12-month planner filled with dozens of ideas to help you and your family conserve water at home.
• Find inspiration by learning about a desert-friendly plant every month.
• Play this fish-themed memory game with your kids to teach them about water conservation.
• Learn how to water your yard efficiently with the Landscape Watering Guide.
• Plant wisely with low-water-use plants found in the Water – Plant it Wisely Guide.
• Challenge your household with the Home Water Challenge.

No matter where you find ways to save water around your house, every little bit counts.