Behind the water-saving statistics: Source Listing for Water I.Q.
Turn off water while brushing. Save 6 gallons a day.
California Urban Water Conservation Council, Practical Plumbing Handbook.
Assumes twice daily brushing at a water-use rate of 3.5 gallons a minute.
If you turn the water off, you’ll use only 1⁄2 gallon for brushing and
rinsing.
Use water-efficient appliances. Save 45 gallons a week.
California Urban Water Conservation Council, Practical Plumbing Handbook. A
standard clothes washer uses 45 gallons/load compared with a water-efficient
appliance, which uses 30 gallons/load. Therefore, you can save 45 gallons a
week based on a washing schedule of 3 loads per week.
Sweep your driveway. Save 150 gallons a month.
Metropolitan Water District and the Family of Southern California Water
Agencies, http://www.bewaterwise.com/tips01.html. You can save 150 gallons
of water every time you sweep rather than spray a driveway.
Water early or late. Save 1,200 gallons a year.
Metropolitan Water District and the Family of Southern California Water
Agencies, http://www.bewaterwise.com/tips01.html. Assumes a 25-gallon
savings every day you water. Over the course of a year, watering only once a
week will save 1,200 gallons.
Run only full loads. Save 4 gallons a day.
California Urban Water Conservation Council, Practical Plumbing Handbook.
Typical dishwashers use 9 gallons to wash a full load, so if you run a
half-load, you’ll waste 4-4 1⁄2 gallons.
Cut your 15-minute shower by half. Save 18 gallons.
California Urban Water Conservation Council, Practical Plumbing Handbook.
Assumes 2.5 gallons per minute, using a low-flow showerhead.