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Water Efficiency Tips
Learn simple habits to help reduce outdoor and indoor water use around your home. Also, check out our tips on what to do about water leaks! Find more simple habits you can adopt to make the most of your water on California's Save Our Water website.
Outdoor
Did you know that outdoor water use typically adds up to more than half of your water bill?
Check out our tips below and click on the topics to learn more about our suggestions for where you can save water outdoors.
- Landscaping and Irrigation
- Take care of your lawn. Learn more about lawn care.
- Use mulch to reduce evaporation. Learn more about mulch.
- Regularly adjust your watering schedule. See recommended guidelines in our Lawn & Landscape Watering Schedule (PDF) / Lawn & Landscape Watering Schedule - Spanish (PDF).
- Check and maintain your irrigation system. Learn more about irrigation systems.
- Use our DIY Irrigation System Check (PDF).
- Let us lend our expertise on a free Water Wise House Call.
- Get supplies from a local irrigation supplier.
- Install a Smart Irrigation Controller. Check out our Smart Irrigation Controller Rebate.
- Select water wise plants. Get our recommendations on water wise plants.
- Replace unneeded lawn with a water wise garden. Check out our Lawn to Garden Rebate and Seven Steps to a New Landscape.
- Use a rain barrel or rain garden to water your yard with rainwater. Find information about rain gardens and rainwater harvesting.
- Use water from your clothes washer to water your yard. Learn more about grey water and our Laundry to Landscape Rebate.
- Use a pool cover. Check out our Pool Cover Rebate.
- Wash your car at a car wash that recycles the water. View available car wash coupons.
- Hire a Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper. Find a local QWEL Pro.
- Participate in the Cleaner Contra Costa Challenge to take actions that save water and create a cleaner, healthier community.
Indoor
Indoor water use, unlike outdoors, is mostly the same year-round. That means a few water-saving measures can save a lot. Check out our tips below and click on the topics to learn more about our suggestions for where you can save water indoors.
- Run full loads of laundry and dishes
- Install a high-efficiency toilet. Find the right toilet for you on the US EPA WaterSense website.
- For more toilet details, we recommend the Maximum Performance Testing (MaP) Laboratory. Pro tip: Toilets with scores of 600 or better to provide you with excellent performance, while also being water wise.
- Install a high-efficiency clothes washer. Find the right clothes washer for you on the EnergyStar website.
- If you are considering upgrading your washer at home, you might also be interested in learning about greywater systems. Check out our Laundry to Landscape Rebate for more details.
- Install water efficient showerheads and faucet aerators. See available water conservation devices.
- Test toilets for leaks with dye tabs or improvise at home with food coloring.
- Consider an on demand hot water recirculation system. Learn more about hot water recirculation systems.
- Participate in the Cleaner Contra Costa Challenge to take actions that save water and create a cleaner, healthier community.
Leaks
It's important to check and monitor for leaks in your home. Did you know? Household leaks can waste nearly 1 trillion gallons of water annually nationwide, according to the US EPA. See the tips and tools below to help you find and resolve leaks.
- Use your water meter to check for leaks - Learn to read your water meter.
- Test toilets for leaks with dye tabs or improvise at home with food coloring.
- Leak resolution guide - sign up for My Water Report for details.
- EPA Fix a Leak Week website
- Water Wise House Call