Washing machines use between 45 and 60 gallons of water per load. If your washer has a variable load control, always adjust water levels to the lowest practical setting.

Install automatic timers on your sprinkler system; set the sprinklers to go on only during permitted days and hours. During non-restricted periods, sprinkle only in early morning hours to reduce loss from wind and heat, and only when the plants show signs of stress. And most importantly, remember to turn automatic sprinklers off when it's raining!

Always wash full loads in your dishwasher; the machine automatically uses the same amount of water, full or not.

During a shortage, avoid using fertilizer because it increases a plant's need for water. Plants can normally survive without fertilizer until the drought is over.

Take shorter showers and install low-flow shower heads which can cut water consumption in half.

Don’t water plants that don’t need it. If a plant is native or is drought tolerant it can survive the dry spells without water.

Turn off the water while brushing your teeth or washing hands.

Consider installing low volume irrigation systems, they minimize evaporation and only put the water where it is needed.

Don't flush the toilet needlessly. Every flush is up to seven gallons down the drain.

Adopt Xeriscape principles: limit your grassy areas and choose plants that require little irrigation and are resistant to drought for landscaping.

Check for leaks in faucets, toilets and pipes. A simple repair may save thousands of gallons per month. And here's something you should know about plumbing leaks… in just three months, a leak the size shown =

a lot of wasted water!