Draw a Bath for Your Dirty Dishes
Susan Cross, Monroe, WA

"We wash dishes by hand, using about a quart of water in a dishpan."

Collect Rain Water
Rachel Evans, Dayton, OH

"I keep a trash can outside in the spring to collect rain and use it for washing my car and watering my garden."

Reuse It
Lenora Rus, Grandville, MI

"I use dehumidifier water to water plants and for cleaning."

Be Conscious of Running Water
Tasha Halpert, Grafton, MA

"My tip is very simple: I shut off the water between uses, whether brushing my teeth, rinsing dishes, or washing veggies."

Install Water-saving Appliances
Eric D. Adkins, Monroe, OH 

"We replaced our toilets with 1.6 gallon/flush toilets that work better than the old ones and use three times less water.

Keep it from Going Down the Drain
J. Gregory Twain, Portland, OR

"I keep a watering can in the bathroom and catch the water as it comes to temperature before I shower."

Plant Native Plants in Your Yard
Adrienne Cooper, Santa Clara, CA

"I just replaced about 1,000 square feet of lawn at my home with California natives and Mediterranean climate plants that need much less water."

Don’t "Disposal" Your Water
John Lundsten, Buffalo, MN

"Use your garbage disposal little or not at all. Most people run the tap while running the disposal, which can use anywhere from a quart to a gallon of water."

Every Drop in the Desert Counts
Melissa Magyar, Phoenix, AZ

"Instead of sending gallons down the drain when I boil potatoes or pasta, I save the strained water for the cacti and succulents in the garden."

Take a Navy Shower
David Nolimal, Chicago, IL

"Soak body in shower. Turn off water and lather entire body with soap. Then turn shower back on and rinse. Saves tons of water."

Go Vegetarian
Megan Sheehan, Fort Hood, TX

"Stop eating meat. It takes anywhere from 435 to 2500 gallons of water—depending on who you ask—to produce one pound of beef in the United States."