7 Ways to Save Water

Have the water meters taken a bite out of your budget?

Everybody knows to turn off the water while brushing teeth, to take showers instead of baths, and so on. Whether you're ready for extra credit, are working on being green, or are just stretching your budget, here are some ideas to help you save on your water bill:

DO:

• Dispose of kleenex, smooshed bugs, or dead aquarium fish in the outside trash instead of flushing them.
• Put veggie peelings in the outside garbage or compost bin instead of running the garbage disposal.
• Scrape plates instead of rinsing them before loading the dishwasher.
• When you change the fishtank water, use the “old” water for the garden. Veggies and flowers love fishy-poo water.
• At a restaurant, only ask for water if you’re actually going to drink it.
• When you make (or buy) laundry soap or dishwasher soap, use the powdered form. The liquid version is the same thing, just with water added.
• Put extra ice cubes in your houseplants instead of dumping them in the sink.

But DON'T:

• Put your pasta or veggie cooking water on your plants if you put salt in it. Salt is a plant killer!
• Put a brick in your toilet tank for water displacement. Any particles that wear off the brick can mess up your plumbing. Use a milk jug filled with rocks or this water displacement contraption.

Is anybody else thirsty?

Originally published July 2009 on BrownThumbMama.com.