Public Utilities Department - Water Conservation

Kitchen and Laundry Tips

Water is a valuable, fundamental resource that should not be wasted. Eventually it will recycle itself, but the clean water used in homes has limitations. If each person uses only what is needed, the natural water supply will always be adequate.

• Use your automatic dishwasher and automatic washing machine only for full loads, never for just a few items.

• If you wash dishes by hand, don't leave the water running continuously for rinsing. Fill one side of the sink with clean water for rinsing, or put the washed dishes in a rack and rinse them all at once with a spray attachment or a pan of hot water.

• Don't let the faucet run while you clean vegetables. Fill the sink or a pan with clean water to rinse. Keep a bottle of drinking water in the refrigerator. Running the tap to cool the water for drinking is wasteful and the refrigerator water will be colder and more refreshing. Check faucets and pipes for leaks. Even a small leak can waste thousands of gallons in a month.

• Re-use the water that vegetables are washed in for watering houseplants or for cleaning.

• Reduce the use of the garbage disposal, which requires a great deal of water for operation. Dispose of food scraps and peelings in the trash container or use food waste in a garden compost pile.

• Install flow restrictors in faucets.

• Keep faucet washers in good shape or use washerless faucets.