The holiday season often involves more cooking, cleaning, and company, which can result in increased water usage at home.
Whether you’re hosting festive gatherings or welcoming overnight guests, the following water-wise tips can help you conserve water while spreading holiday cheer in your household.
IN THE KITCHEN
- When possible, use the dishwasher instead of washing dishes by hand.
- Maximize water efficiency by running the dishwasher only with full loads.
- Scrape leftovers from plates into the trash instead of pre-rinsing dishes under the tap before loading the dishwasher.
- Thaw frozen food in the refrigerator, rather than under running water.
- Use properly sized pots for cooking, since larger pots may require more water than necessary for the food to be prepared.
IN THE LAUNDRY
- Like the dishwasher, only run the washing machine when you have a full load to get the most use out of each gallon of water.
- Skip the extra rinse cycle, unless necessary.
- Pre-treat stains to avoid rewashing items.
IN THE BATHROOM - Before holiday guests arrive, check the toilets and faucets for leaks and make necessary repairs.
- Install water-efficient fixtures like low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators to reduce water usage.
- Encourage guests to turn off the water while lathering when washing their hands or while brushing their teeth and shaving.
- Avoid using the toilet as a trash can, as this can waste water with every flush.
OUTDOORS
- Use a broom instead of a hose to clean up the yard, driveways, sidewalks, or patios.
- Adjust sprinklers to the forecast or install a smart irrigation controller that automatically adjusts an irrigation system’s runtime, based on weather data. Find more information at cvwd.org/rebates.
By incorporating these water conservation tips, you can celebrate the season with savings and have yourself a water-wise holiday! For more ideas, visit cvwd.org/conservation.
