How to Save Tap Water

Saving Tap Water in the Kitchen

• 1). Fill a pitcher (a regular one or one with a filter) with tap water. Place the pitcher in the refrigerator to chill so you can avoid running the tap to cool off your drinking water.
  
  
• 2). Place a large bowl in the kitchen sink when washing dishes. As you rinse your dishes capture the tap water in the bowl. Turn off the tap when the bowl is full and only use the water in the bowl. Wash dishes by hand instead of running the dishwasher to save more water.
  
  
• 3). Steam vegetables with as little water as possible by cooking them in the microwave instead of using a pot of boiling water. Place vegetables in a microwave safe bowl. Add approximately one tablespoon of water in the bowl and cover with a lid or plastic wrap. Cook the vegetables for three to four minutes or until your desired tenderness.
  
  

Saving Tap Water in the Bathroom

• 1). Take a short shower, less than 5 minutes, instead of a bath. To save extra water, place a large bowl or wide mouth water container in the bathtub near the back. As you shower, excess water will fill the container. Use the excess water to water indoor and outdoor plants, fill humidifiers, wash your car or any other use you can think of.
  
  
• 2). If you must take a bath, save the water in the bathtub, if it is not too soapy, and use it to take care of household chores such as watering plants, washing clothes and washing your car. To reuse the water, hold a large bucket or plastic container with both hands and then dip it into the bathtub full of water. If you don't use it immediately, pour the water in a large plastic water storage container, such as a barrel with a lid, for future use.
  
  
• 3). For bathing young children, have them sit in the bathtub together, whenever possible and appropriate, to avoid filling the bathtub multiple times. If the water is still clean after one child's bath, have the next child reuse the same bath water instead of draining the tub and refillling it.
  
  
• 4). To save water when you flush your toilet, fill a large water bottle with rocks to weigh it down. Then open the lid to the toilet tank. Place the water bottle into the tank, away from the flushing mechanism. As you flush the toilet the bottle will displace some water, wasting less each time someone goes to the bathroom.
  
  
• 5). Turn off the faucet when you brush your teeth. Wet the toothbrush quickly. Turn the faucet off as you apply toothpaste to the brush and brush your teeth. Fill a cup with a small amount of water to rinse your mouth and then quickly rinse off your toothbrush.