To conserve water, consider the following tips:

• Check for leaks in your toilet by adding food coloring to the tank and seeing if it seeps into the bowl without flushing

• Avoid using the toilet as a wastebasket

• Put a plastic bottle filled with sand and water in your toilet tank to reduce the amount of water used per flush

• Take shorter showers

• Install water-saving shower heads or flow restrictors

• Put a bottle of tap water in the fridge to avoid waiting for the tap to run cold

• Plant drought-tolerant plants and trees

• Recycle indoor water for use on plants

• Only flush when necessary

• Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth

• Run washing machines and dishwashers only when fully loaded

• Use a low-flow shower head and faucet aerators

• Fix leaks

• Install a dual flush or low-flow toilet or a conversion kit for your existing toilet

• Avoid overwatering your lawn, and water during off-peak periods, using rain sensors on irrigation systems

• Install a rain barrel for outdoor watering

• Plant a rain garden to catch stormwater runoff

• Monitor your water usage and ask your local government about a home water audit

• Share water-saving knowledge with neighbors

• Take showers instead of baths

• Use a watering can instead of a hose or sprinkler, aiming for the roots

• Wash your car with a bucket and sponge instead of a hose

• Consider only flushing the toilet when necessary

• Fix dripping taps and running toilets

• Add plant material to flower beds to prevent evaporation

• Keep a jug of water in the fridge instead of running the cold tap

• Use a wash basin when washing dishes by hand

• Scrape your plate instead of rinsing it before loading it into the dishwasher

• Thaw food in the refrigerator overnight instead of using a running tap of hot water

• Add food waste to a compost pile instead of using the garbage disposal