Despite the recent rains, we’re heading into another drought year in California. While this is nothing new for residents of the Golden state, when I see the low levels of various lakes and reservoirs, it only adds to my eco-anxiety. Water is a precious resource. So, here are 50 ways to save water (and money)!

In the Kitchen

1. Wash your fruits and vegetables in a bowl and use that water to water your plants.
2. Don’t wash your meat before cooking it. It’s not necessary and can cause cross-contamination.
3. Steam foods instead of boiling them. This uses less water and preserves more of the nutrients of your vegetables.
4. When boiling water use the smallest pot that will get the job done.
5. If there’s no salt in the water, let it cool and use it to water your plants.
6. Reuse pots, pans, and plates when cooking so there’s less dishes to wash.
7. Example: consider marinating items in the pot or pan they will be cooked in.
8. Designate one cup or reusable water bottle for drinking. This will reduce the number of cups you have to wash.
9. Fill your dishwasher before running it. A cycle uses the same amount of water whether it washes 1 dish or 50. So, pack it full!
10. Turn off the water when soaping your dishes by hand.
11. Compost food scraps instead of washing them down the garbage disposal.
12. Dump drinking water into an electric tea kettle or in your plants instead of down the drain.
13. Don’t use running water to thaw frozen foods. Set the item in the fridge overnight or a day in advance.

In the Bathroom

1. Take shorter showers by setting a timer or making a shower playlist. Song suggestions: Umbrella, It’s Raining Men, Car Wash 😛
2. Turn off the water while lathering your hair and/or body.
3. Wash your hair less or take a shower less often.
4. Use bar soap instead of shower gel. Shower gel requires more water to wash off.
5. Put a bucket in the shower to catch water while it’s heating up. Use that water to flush the toilet.
6. Turn off the water when brushing your teeth.
7. Use a cup to rinse your mouth instead of cupping your hands under the faucet.
8. Turn off the water while shaving.
9. Don’t flush the toilet every time. Remember: if it’s yellow, let it mellow. If it’s brown, flush it down.
10. Check your toilet for leaks.
11. Replace your toilet with a low flow option or a dual flush option. Dual flush uses half a flush for liquid waste and a full flush for solid waste.
12. Throw tissues in the trash instead of the toilet. Or switch to hankies!

Around the House

1. Put a piece of paper under the U-joint of your sink and check it occasionally. This will show if there’s a leak. Leaks are the biggest waste of water in a house. Also check your water bills for spikes in usage.
2. Switch to low-flow shower head and faucet options when replacing old or broken ones.
3. Wash your clothes less. You don’t need to wash your clothes every time you wear them. If it’s not dirty or doesn’t smell, hang it back up.
4. Only run full loads of laundry.
5. When you need to replace your washer, choose a high efficiency option that uses less water.
6. Only water plants when they need it. Most plants are overwatered.
7. Water your outdoor plants in the morning or evening so less water is lost to evaporation.
8. Add a layer of mulch to keep moisture in the soil.
9. Plant during the Spring and Fall when the watering requirements are less.
10. Plant vegetables and flowers that are drought tolerate and require less water.
11. Set your lawn mower blade to 1.5 – 2 inches. Taller grass shades the soil better which holds in water better.
12. Use the minimum amount of fertilizer required. Fertilizers promote growth but they also increase watering requirements.
13. Switch out your lawn for a less thirsty ocean-friendly garden.
14. Adjust sprinklers if they’re not watering the right area.
15. Sweep the porch or driveway instead of hosing it down.
16. Wash your car at a carwash instead of at home. Carwashes reuse the water and are more water efficient.
17. Install rain barrels outside to collect rain water. Use the water to water your plants.
18. Report landscaping pipe leaks if you live in a community with HOA maintained landscape.
19. Install covers on pools and spas. And check your pool or spa for leaks.

Food Choices

1. Eat less almonds. Most almonds are grown in California and it takes over a gallon of water to produce one almond!
2. Switch to oat milk instead of nut milks. Like almonds, many nuts require a lot of water to grow.
3. Eat less meat and dairy. It’s estimated to take over 1,800 gallons of water to produce a single pound of beef.
4. Finish your water (or other beverage) when eating at a restaurant. Or bring your own water bottle or empty water bottle to take the drink with you.
5. When eating at a restaurant, try the vegetarian option. Or order the small size when ordering a meat option. Restaurant portions are huge, so you can reduce the meat you eat simply by eating a normal-sized portion or trying the vegetarian option.
6. Avoid wasting food. It’s estimated that 40% of the food produced in the US is wasted. No matter what you’re eating, there was water required and by throwing the food away, you’re throwing the water away.

What do you think? Can you start doing some or all of these?

For related and random posts, check out:

• How I Filter Water Without Plastic
• 10 Vegetables You Can Regrow From Scraps