Tonight I thought I would share some water saving tips since I have talked a lot about how we are in the middle of a drought here in California.

Some of these tips are good valid tips and some are a bit tongue in cheek. You decide which ones are which 🙂

One of the ways that I have been saving water is to collect cold water from the bathroom in the morning instead of just letting it run to get warm. A gallon is about the right amount so that the shower gets hot right away.

I can then use this water on my rose bushes and reduce the amount of time I run the sprinklers.

I have been saving up the water to use on days that I can’t run the sprinklers. We can only run the sprinklers three days a week and only during specific hours of the day.

Of course I could quit watering entirely, but according to a news article today we are running into problems with people not watering. Dry lawns are becoming fire hazards and trees are losing large branches because of how dry the trees are.

I am making sure I water enough that it does not become a hazard, but not too much that I am wasting water.

Another way to save water is to install a shutoff on your shower head. I shut off the water while shampooing my hair and soaping up. Then I turn it back on. Of course, you can just turn off the water, but then you don’t have the temperature regulated properly or get hit with a burst of cold water.

Of course, one of the best ways to save water while showering is to shower somewhere else. Like take a three week vacation to Israel to go on an Archaeological Dig.

Or, get your company to send you on a trip. I have at least two trips planned for later this year.

Another way to save water is to drink straight from the milk jug. Of course, you probably can’t do this if you don’t live alone. This saves having to wash a glass or cup. There are other ways to reduce the amount of dishes that you use in the kitchen and all of them help save water. Of course, how you wash dishes is important. Make sure you soak items instead of cleaning them under running water and always make sure that the dishwasher is full before you run it.

Of course, eating out more can help you save water at home.

I also fill up my water bottles at work at the end of the day, but usually drink them on the way home so it doesn’t help much 🙂

I am also being careful that I have a full load of laundry before washing clothes. I started this practice long ago and even bought more whites so that I only have to wash every couple of weeks.

Saving water is a great excuse for buying some new clothes.

I also haven’t washed my car for quite a while. Of course, this is standard practice for me. I usually let the dealership wash it when I take it in for an oil change.

I watched several of my neighbors wash their cars today and saw water running down the street past several houses. Of course, if I was to wash my car I would use a less wasteful method and capture as much of the water to use on my lawn and plants.

How do you save water?

Steven