Water-Efficient Devices

• An ultra low flush (ULF) toilet uses only six litres of water per flush. A regular toilet uses 20 litres. A ULF toilet can cut household water use by 19% a day.
• Low-flow showerheads and tap aerators can reduce daily water use by 13%.
• A front-loading washing machine uses 38% less water and 56% less energy than a top-loading machine, in addition to eliminating 7% more moisture from wet clothes.

Water-Efficient Habits - Indoors

• Take shorter showers or shower the 'Navy-Way'; turn off the water as you soap up, then turn the water back on to rinse off.
• Only fill the tub half-full when taking a bath.
• Don't let the water run when you clean your teeth.
• Don't use the toilet as a garbage can; put tissues in the trash can and cigarette butts in the ashtray.
• Keep a container of drinking water in the refrigerator instead of running water to get it cold.
• Scrape dishes instead of rinsing them under running water.
• Load your dishwasher to capacity before running it.
• When doing laundry, select the water-fill level to match the size of the load, or only wash full loads.
• Check faucets and toilets regularly for leaks and have them repaired right away; leaks can account for 10% or more of daily water use.

Water-Efficient Habits - Outdoors

• Don't wash your car in the driveway; go to a car wash, where soapy water is cleaned and recycled instead of draining into the storm sewers to contaminate our rivers. Alternately, you can wash your car with a sponge and bucket on the lawn.
• If your hoses spring a leak, get them repaired right away; leaks can account for 10% or more of daily water use.
• Use a broom, not a hose, to clean the driveway.
• Use rain barrels to collect rain water. This reduces stormwater runoff and provides water for lawns and gardens.
• When possible, opt for a permeable surface driveway (such as crushed rock, stone dust or interlocking paving stones) to reduce runoff and replenish groundwater.
• Develop natural areas, flower beds and gardens on your property to help reduce runoff and replenish groundwater supplies