Water Conservation

When it comes to conserving water, small adjustments can have a big impact. Here are a few tips...

Kitchen

  • When washing dishes by hand, don't let the water run. Fill one basin with wash water and the other with rinse water.
  • Dishwashers typically use less water than washing dishes by hand.
  • If your dishwasher is new, cut back on pre-rinsing. Newer models clean more thoroughly than older ones.
  • 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.
  • Soak pots and pans instead of letting the water run while you scrape them clean.
  • Use the garbage disposal sparingly. Instead, compost vegetable food waste and save gallons every time.
  • Wash your fruits and vegetables in a pan of water instead of running water from the tap.
  • Don't use running water to thaw food. For water efficiency and food safety, defrost food in the refrigerator.
  • Install an instant water heater near your kitchen sink so you don't have to run the water while it heats up. This also reduces energy costs.
  • 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.
  • Reuse leftover water from cooked or steamed foods to start a nutritious soup - it's one more way to get eight glasses of water a day.
  • Cook food in as little water as possible. This also helps it retain more nutrients.
  • Select the proper pan size for cooking. Large pans may require more cooking water than necessary.
  • If you accidentally drop ice cubes, don't throw them in the sink. Drop them in a house plant instead.
  • Collect the water you use while rinsing fruit and vegetables. Use it to water house plants.
  • When shopping for a new dishwasher, use the Consortium for Energy Efficiency website to compare water use between models.

Laundry Room

  • 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.
  • When shopping for a new washing machine, compare resource savings among Energy Star models. Some can save up to 20 gallons of water per load.
  • Have a plumber re-route your greywater to trees and plants rather than the sewer line. Check with the Village about applicable codes.

Bathroom

  • If your shower fills a one-gallon bucket in less than 20 seconds, replace the showerhead with a WaterSense® labeled model.
  • 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 five minutes. You'll save up to 1,000 gallons per month.
  • Take showers instead of baths. A full bathtub requires up to 70 gallons of water.
  • When running a bath, plug the bathtub before turning on the water. Adjust the temperature as the tub fills.
  • Toilet leaks can be silent. Be sure to test your toilet for leaks at least once a year.
  • Put food coloring in your toilet tank. If it seeps into the bowl without flushing, there's a leak. Fix it and start saving gallons.
  • If your toilet flapper doesn't close properly after flushing, replace it.
  • If your toilet was installed before 1992, purchasing a WaterSense® labeled toilet can reduce the amount of water used for each flush.
  • Consider buying a dual-flush toilet. It has two flush options - a half-flush for liquid waste and a full-flush for solid waste.
  • Use a WaterSense® labeled showerhead. They're inexpensive, easy to install and can save you up to 750 gallons a month.
  • Turn off the water while you brush your teeth and save up to four gallons a minute. That's up to 200 gallons a week for a family of four.
  • Plug the sink instead of running the water to rinse your razor and save up to 300 gallons a month.
  • 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.
  • Install water-saving aerators on all of your faucets.
  • Drop tissues in the trash instead of flushing them and save water every time.
  • Check your faucets and showerheads for leaks. One drip every second adds up to five gallons per day.
  • While you wait for hot water, collect the running water and use it to water plants.

General Indoor

  • Teach children to turn off faucets tightly after each use.
  • When the kids want to cool off, use the sprinkler in an area where your lawn needs it most.
  • Learn how to use your water meter to check for leaks.
  • Monitor your water bill for unusually high use. Your bill and water meter are tools that can help you discover leaks.
  • Avoid recreational water toys that require a constant flow of water.
  • We're more likely to notice leaky faucets indoors, but don't forget to check outdoor faucets, pipes, and hoses.
  • 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.
  • Run your washer and dishwasher only when they are full. You can save up to 1,000 gallons a month.

Outdoor Tips

  • Use porous material for walkways and patios to prevent wasteful runoff and keep water in your yard.
  • Group plants with the same watering needs together to avoid overwatering some while underwatering others.
  • Reduce the amount of lawn in your yard by planting shrubs and ground covers appropriate to your site and region.
  • Plant native plant species.
  • Start a compost pile. Using compost in your garden or flower beds adds water-holding organic matter to the soil.
  • Use a layer of organic mulch on the surface of planting beds to minimize weed growth that competes for water.
  • Spreading a layer of organic mulch around plants helps them retain moisture, saving water, time and money.
  • Use two to four 4 inches of organic mulch around plants to reduce evaporation and save hundreds of gallons of water a year.
  • Next time you add or replace a flower or shrub, choose a low-water-use plant and save up to 550 gallons each year.
  • Collect water from your roof by installing rain barrels or direct gutter downspouts to plants and trees.

Lawn Care

  • Hire a qualified pro to install your irrigation system and keep it working properly and efficiently.
  • Adjust your lawn mower to the height of 1.5 to two inches. Taller grass shades roots and holds soil moisture better than short grass.
  • Leave lawn clippings on your grass, this cools the ground and holds in moisture.
  • If installing a lawn, select a lawn mix or blend that matches your climate and site conditions.
  • Aerate your lawn periodically. Holes every six inches will allow water to reach the roots, rather than run off the surface.
  • Remember to weed your lawn and garden regularly. Weeds compete with other plants for nutrients, light and water.
  • While fertilizers promote plant growth, they also increase water consumption. Apply the minimum amount of fertilizer needed.
  • Catch water in an empty tuna can to measure sprinkler output. 3/4 to 1 inch of water is enough to apply each time you irrigate.
  • Set a kitchen timer when using the hose as a reminder to turn it off. A running hose can discharge up to 10 gallons per minute.
  • Check your sprinkler system frequently and adjust sprinklers so only your lawn is watered and not the house, sidewalk or street.
  • Install a rain sensor on your irrigation controller so your system won't run when it's raining.
  • Timing is everything when it comes to irrigation. Learn how to set your controller properly.
  • Look for WaterSense® labeled irrigation controllers.
  • Minimize evaporation by watering during the early morning hours when temperatures are cooler and winds are lighter.
  • Water only when necessary. More plants die from over-watering than from under-watering.
  • Adjust your watering schedule to match weather conditions and landscape requirements.
  • Don't water your lawn on windy days when most of the water blows away or evaporates.
  • Use drip irrigation for shrubs and trees to apply water directly to the roots, where it's needed.
  • Water your plants deeply but less frequently to encourage deep root growth and drought tolerance.
  • Use sprinklers that deliver big drops of water close to the ground. Smaller drops and mist often evaporate before hitting the ground.
  • Use a rain barrel to harvest rainwater from gutters for watering gardens and landscapes.
  • For hanging baskets, planters and pots, put ice cubes on top of the soil to give your plants a cool drink of water without overflow.
  • Remember to periodically check your sprinkler system valves for leaks, and to keep sprinkler heads in good shape.

General Outdoor

  • Winterize outdoor spigots when temperatures dip below freezing to prevent pipes from leaking or bursting.
  • For more immediate hot water and energy savings, insulate hot water pipes.
  • Use a commercial car wash that recycles 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.
  • Report broken pipes, leaky hydrants and errant sprinklers to property owners or your local
  • Know where your master water shut-off valve is located. Were a pipe to burst, this could save gallons of water and prevent damage.

Contact Us

Public Works
publicworks@oak-park.us
708.358.5700

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