Thinking Beyond the Low-Flow Device

Water conservation messaging can sometimes feel a bit repetitive. We all know we should turn the water off while washing hands and brushing teeth. We know to take shorter showers. We know about low-flow shower heads and faucet aerators.

Here are some less common ideas on how to conserve water.

Shower flower. You may already be capturing cold water from the shower while you wait for it to heat, but are you using this nifty device? The Shower Flower expands to capture as much water as possible, funneling it to an easy-to-transport jug for use in your garden.

Cleaning your fish tank? Use the water for your plants. The water is rich in nitrogen and phosphorus, providing you with free and effective fertilizer.

Another good reason to conquer weeds. Weeds compete with other plants for nutrients, light, and water. Stay on top of weed growth to limit the amount of water needed in your garden.

Do you know where your house shut-off valve is? Shutting off the water to your home during a leak can save you hundreds, if not thousands, of gallons of water. Be sure you and everyone in your home knows where the shut-off valve is located.

It's a toilet; not a trash can! Don't use your toilet to dispose of anything other than toilet paper and human waste. Floss, hair, tissues, and other materials should go in the trash, not down the drain.

Prune back heavy foliage. Reducing leaf area reduces water needs.

Start a compost pile. Using compost in your garden adds water-holding organic matter to the soil.

Conserve while you cook. Select the proper size pot for cooking to avoid using more water than necessary.

Rub-a-dub-dub, how many kids fit in the tub? Bathing your small children together saves water.