Drought and water shortage

Indoors

Ready.gov:

• Leaks. Fix dripping faucets by replacing washers. One drop per second wastes 2,700 gallons a year. Check all plumbing for leaks. If a well pump turns on and off while no water is being used, you have a leak.
• Fixtures. Install aerators with flow restrictors and an ultra-low-flow showerhead.
• Toilets. Consider a low-volume toilet that uses less than half the water of older models.
• Reuse. Never pour water down the drain when there's another use for it, such as watering plants.

Outdoors

Ready.gov:

• Plant native or drought-tolerant plants.
• Use drip irrigation and mulch.
• Raise the mower blade to at least three inches.
• Point sprinklers at the lawn, not the pavement.
• Consider rainwater harvesting where practical.
• A traditional pool filter backflush uses 180 to 250 gallons. Choose a water-saving pool filter.

When your utility declares restrictions

Follow your water provider's rules. They outrank this page. Your stored emergency water (see the Water chapter) is for drinking, not the garden.