Make a Measurable Impact on the Drought 

Looking for ways to conserve water? Here are some ways you can save water and make a measurable impact on the drought the in the Western United States. 

In Your Home 

1. Instead of using hot water to thaw frozen food, simply put them in the refrigerator the day before.  
   
   
2. Invest in high-efficiency appliances: washing machine, toilet, dishwasher. When you use an “energy star” certified washing machine you can save up to 33% of the water it normally takes to wash your clothes.  
   
   
3. Compost your food scraps, instead of using the garbage disposal and rinsing it down with water.  
   
   
4. Shorten your shower time by a minute, and you can save up to 150 gallons a month.   

In Your Backyard 

1. Water your plants in the evenings. By doing this, you can make sure that the water will be soaked up by the roots, instead of evaporated in the air. And try to limit your watering days to 2 days. 
   
   
2. Reduce the size of your landscaping. Consider using alternatives like rocks and cacti.  
   
   
3. Install a smart irrigation controller. Traditional irrigation systems run on a consistent timer, but a smart irrigation controller monitors your soil moisture and adjusts the timer accordingly.  

In the Store 

1. Find alternatives to plastic packaging. Not only does it save it from the landfill and unsuspecting animals, but it reduces the amount of water required to make the plastic in the first place.   
   
   
2. Buy like-new clothing. Did you know that it takes 1,800 gallons of water to grow enough cotton for a new pair of jeans? When you make the long-term commitment to buy gently used clothing, you can be a part of the long-term solution to save water.  

How to Monitor Your Water Use at Home 

Remember, you can’t improve what you can’t measure. With a bluebot smart water meter and app, you can monitor your water and have a measurable, positive impact on the climate crisis.