San Diego Coastkeeper


Water Conservation Tips

24 Ways to Save Hundreds of Gallons of Water Every Week

Most people aren’t aware of how many gallons of water the average household uses each week. In San Diego, a typical household uses around 14 hundred cubic feet (HCF) of water a month (more in the summer, less in the winter.) One HCF of water is equal to 748 gallons, so a typical household uses about 10,472 gallons a month. Here are 24 simple ways to help you save water. Whatever your conservation goal is - 15 percent, 25 percent, or more - the more of these steps you take the more water you’ll save. The more water you save, the more money you’ll save on your water and sewer bill.

    In The Bathroom

  1. While waiting for hot water to come through the pipes, catch the cool, clean, water in a bucket or a watering can. You can use it later to water plants, run your garbage disposer, or pour into the toilet bowl to flush. (Can save up to 50 gallons a week per person.)
  2. Replace your regular showerheads with low-flow showerheads. (Can save up to 230 gallons a week.)
  3. Keep your showers down to five minutes or less using a low-flow showerhead. (Can save up to 75 gallons a week per person.)
  4. Turn the water off while lathering-up in the shower. Then turn the water back on to quickly rinse. (Can save up to 75 gallons a week per person.)
  5. Take shallow baths, no more than 3 inches of water. (Can save up to 100 gallons a week per person.)
  6. Replace your older model toilets with new ultra-low-flush models. (Can save up to 350 gallons a week.)
  7. Check your toilets for leaks. Drop a dye tablet or a teaspoon of food coloring (avoid red) in the tank. If color appears in the bowl after 15 minutes, you probably need to replace the "flapper" valve. (Can save up to 100 gallons a week for each toilet repaired.)
  8. Flush the toilet only when necessary. Never use the toilet as an ashtray or wastebasket. (Can save up to 50 gallons a week.)
  9. Never let the water run while brushing your teeth or shaving. (Can save up to 35 gallons a week per person.)


    10. In The Kitchen

  10. 10. Hand wash dishes just once a day using the least amount of detergent possible. This will cut down on rinsing. Use a sprayer or short blasts of water to rinse. (Can save up to 100 gallons a week.)
  11. If you have a dishwasher, run it only when you have a full load. (Can save up to 30 gallons a week.)
  12. Scrape food scraps off dishes in the garbage can or rinse them off with very short blasts of water. (Can save up to 60 gallons a week.)
  13. Never use hot, running water to defrost frozen foods. Plan ahead and place frozen items in the refrigerator overnight or use the microwave oven. (Can save up to 50 gallons a week.)
  14. Rinse vegetables and fruits in a sink or a pan filled with water instead of under running water. (Can save up to 30 gallons a week.)
  15. Run your garbage disposer only on alternate days. (Can save up to 25 gallons a week.)


    16. Around The House

  16. Repair all leaky faucets, fixtures and pipes both inside and outside your home. (Can save more than 150 gallons for each leak.)
  17. When doing the laundry, never wash less than a full load. (Can save up to 100 gallons a week.)


    18. Outdoors

  18. Set lawn mower blades one notch higher since longer grass reduces evaporation. Leave grass clippings on your grass, this cools the ground and holds in moisture.
  19. Mulch, compost and wood chips are available at the Miramar Greenery.
  20. Never hose down your patio or balcony, always use a broom or blower. (Can save up to 100 gallons a week.)
  21. Don’t allow children to play with the hose. (Can save up to 10 gallons a minute.)
  22. If you have a pool, use a cover to cut down evaporation. This will also keep your pool cleaner and reduce the need to add chemicals. (Can save up to 250 gallons a week.)
  23. Take your car to a car wash that recycles its wash water. If washing your car at home, use a bucket of water and sponge. Rinse quickly at the end. Never allow the hose to run continuously. (Can save up to 150 gallons a week.)
  24. Water your lawn and landscaping before dawn or after the sun sets when there’s less evaporation. Adjust your sprinklers so they don’t spray on sidewalks, driveway or street. (Can save up to 250 gallons a week.)

Click here to download the 24 Ways to Save Hundreds of Gallons of Water Every Week (PDF: 276K)


Tips to Protect Local Waters After the Fires

Collecting debris and ash properly – much of the post-fire debris contains toxic compounds that can harm wildlife as well as humans.

  • Wear well-fitting dust masks; those rated N-95 or P-100 provide better protection than simple dust or surgical masks. Also be sure to wear gloves and wash off any ash that comes in contact with your skin.
  • Do not allow ash to get into the storm drains, which flow directly to our beaches and bays with no treatment. The Regional Water Control Quality Board has asked the public to avoid washing ash into storm drains whenever possible. If needed, protect storm drains with filter fabric.
  • Avoid getting ash into the air as much as possible. Do not use leaf blowers, non-HEPA filter vacuums or take other actions that will put ash into the air.
  • Do not use water to rinse ash off outdoor surfaces at this time. Wetting surfaces before the ash has stopped falling outside may actually help the ash stick to the surface and make it more difficult to remove later.
  • Use a broom to sweep and dispose of ash and debris. Lightly mist indoor and outdoor hard surfaces if ash is getting into the air. In lightly dusted areas, a damp cloth may be all that is needed.
  • Collected ash may be disposed of in the regular trash. Ash may be stored in plastic bags or other containers that will prevent it from being disturbed. Seal trash bags and receptacles appropriately.
  • Check local air quality (link to ) before going outside to remove ash or debris.
Washing your car
  • If your car has a lot of ash on it, wipe ash off with a damp cloth so it does not get blown away when you drive your car.
  • Do not wash your car at home to avoid runoff and storm drain pollution.
  • Take your car to a car wash, preferably one that recycles all water used on-site such as Body Beautiful.
Conserve Water & Energy
  • At this time it is more important than ever to conserve our water and energy use.
  • Do not run air conditioning if it is not necessary. Close shades and blinds to keep houses cool.
  • Keep watering lawn to a minimum. Water lawns in the early morning or evening to conserve water evaporation. Make sure the water isn’t running off your lawn or garden onto the street to prevent ash from getting in the storm drains.
  • When washing clothes do so before 7am and after 7pm, when energy and water usage is at a low.
  • Turn off unnecessary lights at work or at home.

10 Easy Things You Can Do to Protect Your Precious Waterways

  1. Be Considerate of Wildlife
    Our trash can damage or kill wildlife easily, but it is easy to prevent these tragedies. Never dispose of fishing line or nets in the water. Don't release helium balloons outside. Minimize your use of Styrofoam. Cut open plastic six-pack rings that can entangle life
  2. Reduce Household Toxins
    The fewer herbicides and pesticides you spray, the fewer you will swim in! By using natural fertilizer, phosphate-free detergents and non-toxic cleaning products, you can ensure healthier waterways and a cleaner overall environment.

  3. Reduce Run-Off
    It's easy to avoid contributing to nonpoint source pollution! Put trash in the can instead of the gutter. Use soap sparingly when washing your car. If you must use chemicals on your lawn, don't spray on a windy day or when rain is expected. And scoop pet waste – an estimated 15 tons of pet waste flows into waterways and ends up in the ocean every day!

    Fixing car leaks and recycling used motor oil can prevent oil pollution from running into surface waters.

  4. Conserve Water
    With just a little effort, we can all save water every day. Use low-flow showerheads and faucets, take shorter showers and repair leaky faucets to help our oceans.

  5. Eat Sustainable Seafood
    Not all seafood is created equal. Some seafood choices, like wild fish from healthy populations, are good for the ocean, while others are harmful. For a list of smart seafood choices, see Sourcing Seafood. For more information on ocean-friendly seafood, visit the Seafood Choices Alliance at www.seafoodchoices.org.

  6. Keep plastic out of the Ocean
    The ocean is awash with non-biodegradable plastic debris, some of it so finely-ground that it is digested by microscopic plankton, the basis of the oceanic food chain. Keep plastic out of the ocean by reducing the amount of plastic you use. Avoid plastic bags by using reusable shopping bags. Refill plastic water bottles. Recycle plastic, or dispose of it with care. Biodegradable plastic products made from corn, food starch, and sugar cane are now available.

  7. Think about how your food is produced
    Run-off from modern conventional agricultural practices is one of the major contributors to the amount of EDCs (endocrine disrupting hormones) in the waterways and ocean. By supporting organic farming and buying organic food you will keep the oceans healthy, and decrease the poisons in you and your children. Support locally-grown food by shopping at local farmers' markets.

  8. Support local organizations
    Find a local, small, non-profit organization working to protect our waterways and oceans, such as San Diego Coastkeeper (link to membership page) and get involved. That way you will learn more about the problems we face, and can become a more effective part of the solution.

  9. Educate yourself
    Pollution in the waterways comes from many sources, especially industry. The burning of coal releases mercury, a neuro-toxin that is found in heavy concentrations in tuna and swordfish. Dioxins from paper bleaching and agriculture, are affecting hormone systems. We all need to learn more about how the way we live is affecting the world we live in, and begin to pressure our government to invest in alternative energy sources and green industrial practices.

  10. Spread the Word! Talk to friends and family about the problems - and the solutions – that impact our waterways. Write letters to the editors of your local newspapers calling attention to marine issues.