Educational Materials

Kids conservaton tips

• When washing dishes by hand, don’t let the water run. Fill one basin with wash water and the other with rinse water.
• Designate one glass for your drinking water each day, or refill a water bottle. This will cut down on the number of glasses to wash.
• Wash your fruits and vegetables in a pan of water instead of running water from the tap.
• Keep a pitcher of drinking water in the refrigerator instead of running the tap. This way, every drop goes down you and not the drain.
• If you accidentally drop ice cubes, don’t throw them in the sink. Drop them in a house plant instead.
• When doing laundry, match the water level to the size of the load.
• Washing dark clothes in cold water saves water and energy, and helps your clothes retain their color.
• Shorten your shower by a minute or two and you’ll save up to 150 gallons per month.
• Time your shower to keep it under 5 minutes. You’ll save up to 1,000 gallons per month.
• Turn off the water while you brush your teeth and save up to 4 gallons a minute. That’s up to 200 gallons a week for a family of four.
• Turn off the water while washing your hair and save up to 150 gallons a month.
• When washing your hands, turn the water off while you lather.
• Take 5-minute showers instead of baths. A full bathtub requires up to 70 gallons of water.
• Drop tissues in the trash instead of flushing them and save water every time.
• One drip every second adds up to five gallons per day! Check your faucets and showerheads for leaks.
• Teach children to turn off faucets tightly after each use.
• Watch the Home Water Challenge video or use the Home Water Audit Calculator to see where you can save water.
• When the kids want to cool off, use the sprinkler in an area where your lawn needs it most.
• Encourage your school system and local government to develop and promote water conservation among children and adults.
• Play fun games while learning how to save water!
• Monitor your water bill for unusually high use. Your bill and water meter are tools that can help you discover leaks.
• Learn how to use your water meter to check for leaks.
• Reward kids for the water-saving tips they follow.
• Avoid recreational water toys that require a constant flow of water.
• Be a leak detective! Check all hoses, connectors, and faucets regularly for leaks.
• See a leak you can’t fix? Tell a parent, teacher, employer, or property manager, or call a handyman.
• At home or while staying in a hotel, reuse your towels.
• Make suggestions to your employer or school about ways to save water and money.
• Run your washer and dishwasher only when they are full. You can save up to 1,000 gallons a month.
• Don’t overfill the pool. Lower water levels will reduce water loss due to splashing.
• Keep water in the pool when playing, it will save water.
• Use a hose nozzle or turn off the water while you wash your car. You’ll save up to 100 gallons every time.
• Wash your pets outdoors, in an area of your lawn that needs water.
• When cleaning out fish tanks, give the nutrient-rich water to your non-edible plants.
• When you give your pet fresh water, don’t throw the old water down the drain. Use it to water your trees or shrubs.
• Use a broom instead of a hose to clean patios, sidewalks and driveways, and save water every time.