Remember that water is a valuable resource that shouldn't be wasted. Your water is clean, safe, and convenient; but you have to pay for its treatment and the system to deliver it to you. By conserving water in your home, you also save energy needed to heat it or run appliances. Bathrooms: •Two-thirds of the water used in an average home is used in the bathroom, and a lot of it goes into the sewer. From two to seven gallons of water are used every time a toilet is flushed. Do not use the toilet to flush items that can go in a wastebasket or garbage can. Be aware of toilet leaks. •You may have been advised to take showers rather than baths to conserve water. If you take a long shower, however, you may use more water than if you took a bath. Long, hot showers not only waste water but also energy to heat the water. Consider using reduced-flow devices for showerheads. •Don’t leave the water running while you shave or brush your teeth. You are just running clean water down the drain. Kitchens: •Be sure the dishwasher is fully loaded before running it. Try not rinsing dishes before putting them in the dishwasher. •If you wash dishes by hand, do not let the water run while washing or rinsing. Don’t let the water run while cleaning vegetables or other foods. Use a large pan or dish for rinsing. •Store drinking water in the refrigerator rather than letting it run until it’s cold. Laundry: •Be sure to have full loads, or use the automatic controls for smaller loads. •Use cold water for rinsing. Outdoors: •Don’t water on a fixed schedule, or if rain is in the forecast. Water grass or plants only if they show signs of needing it. Water during the coolest part of the day to avoid excess evaporation, and let the water sink in slowly. Water applied too fast runs off into storm sewers. •When washing the car, use a bucket of water for washing, and use the hose only for rinsing. Plumbing: •Install shutoff valves for appliances and fixtures in case a pipe blows out. Most importantly, check for a main shutoff valve that turns off water to the whole house, and make sure that it works.