The Biggest Little City in the World has been experiencing drought for some time now. Droughts usually develop over a span of years , but this one came in so quickly as the dry winter and spring turned into a hot and sizzling summer, with July 2012 holding the record for the hottest month nationwide dating back to 1895.

Good thing we have assurance from Truckee Meadows Water Authority  that they are  able to meet the water demand of customers, water supply is in good shape,  and that there is no need to tap into drought reserves just to get through this dry season. Even Lake Tahoe, one of our drought reserves, is in great shape, it’s approximately 40 percent full, better than average for this time of year.

Though we seem to be putting up well with the drought situation were experiencing right now, there’s no harm in helping out and conserving water in our own little way. Here are a few tips on how to save a hundred drops of water (and more) in the comfort of our own homes:

Indoor Water Conservation Tips

  • Beware of leaking faucets: Small leaks can waste over 50 gallons of water a day. Larger leaks can waste up to hundreds of gallons of water a day.
  • Change old faucets and toilets with low-flow brands: Low flow fixtures ensure that you use water more efficiently.
  • Take shorter showers: Try limiting your showers. Use a timer. You’ll be able to save liters of water per minute.
  • Check for toilet tank leaks: Find out if you have leaks by adding a little food coloring to the tank and wait for half an hour. If the food coloring seeps into the bowl, you have a leak and I has to repaired immediately. A toilet leak can waste approximately 21,000 gallons of water per year.
  • Turn off faucets when water is not necessarily needed: Don’t let water run while you’re doing your dishes, brushing your teeth, cleaning your vegetable, shaving, etc.
  • Wash full loads in your dishwasher: Half loads consume just about the same amount of water as full loads. Washing only have a load, wastes water, energy and money.
  • Thaw food in the refrigerator: Thawing food by running water is wasteful.
  • Keep a glass or pitcher of water in the refrigerator: This eliminates the practice letting the tap run until the water is cold.

Outdoor Water Conservation Tips

  • Don’t over water your lawn: A good rule of thumb to follow is to step on your grass. If it doesn’t spring back after you remove your foot, that’s an indication that you have to water your lawn.
  • Water your lawn only on the days and times allowed: Water lawns during the early morning hours when temperatures and wind speed are the lowest. This reduces losses from evaporation.
  • Position sprinklers in a way that water is not wasted: Don’t water your street, driveway or sidewalk. Using a hose to clean a driveway can waste hundreds of gallons of water.
  • Consider using a commercial car wash that recycles water: If you wash your own car, wash the car with water in a bucket, and rinse using a hose with a low-flow nozzle; park on the grass while doing so.