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To save water at home during a drought, first check your water utility’s current restrictions, then fix leaks, reduce routine indoor use, and cut outdoor watering where it is allowed. Local rules take precedence: a general water-saving tip never overrides a restriction or ban.
1. Check local drought restrictions before changing outdoor watering
Start with your water bill or your water utility’s website. Look for the current drought stage, household water-use guidance, watering schedule, and any limits on lawns, gardens, or irrigation. Rules can differ between neighboring communities and change as conditions change, so use the instructions for your address rather than a general schedule.
Restrictions may reserve water for critical needs. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) advises: “Follow the rules: If your community has taken the step of restricting water use, it’s to ensure that water is available for critical community needs such as firefighting, health care facilities, and local businesses.” EPA, When in Drought, Use Your WaterSense.
If your utility’s guidance is unclear, contact it before watering or running an irrigation system. Ask whether any local rebates are currently available if you are considering a water-saving fixture; rebate programs and eligibility vary by utility.
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2. Find and repair leaks
A leak wastes water continuously, so check for one before buying new equipment or changing habits. Inspect faucets, toilets, showerheads, visible pipes, and any sprinkler or irrigation equipment for drips, running water, or damaged connections. The EPA includes leak detection and repair in its drought guidance.
Repair confirmed leaks promptly. If a leak is hidden, difficult to reach, or beyond your repair skills, contact a qualified plumber or irrigation professional. For sprinkler systems, check heads and connections while the system is operating only if local rules permit testing or watering.
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3. Reduce everyday indoor water use
- Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth, shaving, or soaping your hands or dishes.
- Take shorter showers rather than letting water run longer than needed.
- Run the dishwasher and washing machine with full loads instead of partial loads.
These changes do not require a fixture purchase. Keep local restrictions in mind if your community has also set limits on indoor use.
4. Cut outdoor water use where watering is permitted
Outdoor use can be a substantial share of household water consumption, but it varies by season and climate. The EPA estimates that U.S. households use nearly 9 billion of about 29 billion gallons each day outdoors—roughly 30%—and says the share can reach 70% in hot summer months or dry climates. The EPA webpage does not specify a publication year for this estimate. EPA, Start Saving.
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If your local rules allow outdoor watering, reduce lawn irrigation and follow the utility’s permitted days and hours. Use irrigation efficiently, avoid watering more than the landscape needs, and consider plants suited to your local climate when replacing or adding plants. The right approach depends on local conditions; do not use a general schedule if your utility sets a stricter one.
5. Reuse suitable captured water for plants
Where local rules allow, collect water that would otherwise go down the drain—for example, water run while waiting for a shower to warm—and use it for container plants or flower beds. Use only water appropriate for the plants and intended use, and do not treat captured water as permission to water during a local prohibition. EPA includes this type of reuse in its drought recommendations. EPA, When in Drought, Use Your WaterSense.
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6. Consider efficient fixtures when a replacement is due
Buying new equipment is optional, not the first step. If you are replacing a showerhead or faucet, look for the WaterSense label. EPA says WaterSense-labeled fixtures are independently certified to use at least 20% less water than standard models. Check with your utility to see whether a local rebate applies to the product and your household.
An irrigation controller is relevant only if your home has in-ground irrigation, and it should be used only in ways permitted by local watering rules. A controller or other upgrade does not supersede a schedule or outdoor watering ban.
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