10 Actions That Really Cut Your Water Usage

In the United States, the typical person uses about 80 to 100 gallons of potable water per day at home. A large portion goes toward hygiene, toilets, laundry, and dishwashing. Yet a few simple habit changes can cut this consumption without sacrificing comfort.

Fixing a leak, shortening your shower, or collecting rinse water can also trim your bill. Here are 10 simple tips to save water at home and in the garden.

 

1. Install a rainwater harvesting system

Potable water is a precious resource that isn’t equally accessible everywhere. Yet it’s still commonly used to water plants or clean an outdoor surface.

A rainwater harvesting system helps limit these uses. A above-ground tank connected to the gutter is typically sufficient for a small yard. A buried tank offers greater capacity but requires installation work.

This non-potable water can be used to water the garden, wash certain outdoor surfaces, or feed a decorative fountain. Its use inside the home is far more regulated.

A system connected to the toilet, the washing machine, or floor cleaning must be registered with the city hall. The non-potable network must remain completely separate from the potable water supply.

The tank should also be sealed or equipped with a fine screen. This precaution prevents it from becoming a breeding ground for mosquitoes, including the Asian tiger mosquito.

Note: rainwater should never be used for drinking, cooking, dishwashing, rinsing foods, or personal hygiene.

2. Equip faucets and the shower

A standard faucet can waste several liters per minute. Installing a aerator or water-saver device can easily reduce this flow.

This small device blends air into the stream. The sensation of pressure remains comfortable, while consumption can drop by 30–50%.

Check the flow rate listed before purchasing. A model suited for a bathroom sink isn’t necessarily ideal for quickly filling a pot.

In the shower, a water-saving head also limits the flow while maintaining adequate pressure. Since you’re using less hot water, you reduce energy use at the same time.

Purge and descale aerators and the shower head regularly. Limescale can alter the jet and reduce their efficiency.

3. Reduce toilet flush volume

The toilet accounts for a sizable share of household water use. An old-flush model can use up to about three quarts? two and a half gallons? per flush. (The original text notes up to ten liters.)

The first solution is to install a dual-flush mechanism. It lets you choose a small or a large volume according to need. Some mechanisms can also be manually interrupted.

Also ensure that no water is constantly dripping into the bowl. A few drops of food coloring poured into the tank will reveal a leak. If the color appears in the bowl without flushing, the mechanism must be repaired.

Avoid placing a brick in the tank. It can crumble, clog the mechanism, or cause under-flush. Opt for a device designed to adjust the water volume.

4. Wash your car with as little water as possible

Washing a car with a hose can use a lot of water. It should be avoided during droughts or when local restrictions are in place.

For a lightly dirty vehicle, a waterless wash can work. Use several clean microfiber cloths to avoid scratching the finish.

If the vehicle is caked with dirt or sand, choose a station with an on-site water-recycling and treatment system. Washing on the street or at home may be regulated locally.

5. Design a garden that uses less water

A drought-tolerant garden starts with plant choices. Xeriscaping prioritizes plants that fit the soil, climate, and rainfall of your area.

Lavender, santoline, yarrow, sedum, rosemary, or certain grasses tolerate dry periods better once established. Even these plants need watering during their first year.

Spread a mulch layer at the base of plants. It slows evaporation, reduces weeds, and protects soil from heat waves.

Water early in the morning or in the evening, at the base of the plants. Deep, infrequent watering encourages deeper rooting. Avoid frequent, small waterings that keep roots near the surface.

A well-set drip irrigation line delivers water directly to the plants. However, regularly check the setup to spot a loose connector or a misconfigured timer.

6. Prefer a short shower to a bath

A shower is truly economical only if it stays short. A fifteen-minute shower can approach 100 gallons, depending on the head’s flow. A bath can use up to 50 gallons or more.

By contrast, a five-minute shower with an appropriate head uses about 9 gallons. Also cut the water off during soaping.

A timer, an alarm, or a short song helps you keep track of time. There are also connected showerheads that signal increasing consumption.

7. Turn off the faucet as soon as water is no longer needed

Turning off the faucet while brushing teeth, shaving, or soaping hands seems obvious. Yet a trickle can waste several liters.

In the kitchen, wash vegetables in a basin rather than under a running tap. For hand washing dishes, use two basins: one for washing, the other for rinsing.

Avoid pre-rinsing dishes destined for the dishwasher. Simply scrape off leftovers with a spatula or a used towel.

8. Track leaks with the meter

A quiet leak can undo all the efforts made elsewhere. A dripping faucet, a faulty toilet, or a loose connection can waste several tens of gallons per day.

To run a test, check your meter in the evening. Then do not turn on any faucet, appliance, or toilet. If the numbers change by morning, you’ve found a leak.

Inspect faucets, the toilet tank, the water heater, and appliance connections. An unexplained rise in your bill should also raise a flag.

Certain leaks remain hidden within walls or under floors. If you can’t locate their source, call a professional promptly. See also our tips for detecting and limiting water leaks.

9. Use your washing machine and dishwasher wisely

You don’t need to replace a functioning appliance just to save water. When an appliance reaches the end of its life, check its energy label.

European labels are now defined from A to G. For a washing machine or dishwasher, the label also indicates the water consumption of the eco program.

Run the machines only when they’re properly loaded, without overfilling the drum. The eco program often takes longer but uses less water and operates at a lower temperature.

A newer dishwasher typically uses between 3 and 6 gallons per cycle. A washing machine uses roughly 10 to 20 gallons per cycle, depending on model and program.

10. Reuse water that’s still clean

Sometimes the same water can have a second use. Place a basin in the sink to catch water used for washing fruits and vegetables. It can later water the plants.

You can also collect the cold water that runs while waiting for the shower to warm up. Use it to mop floors, clean the balcony, or fill the toilet tank.

It’s also possible to reuse some cooking water. For plants, choose cooled, non-salted water that’s free of grease.

Recently boiled water can help remove weeds from between paving stones. Pour it carefully and away from the plants you want to keep.

The right habit
Follow your meter every month. You’ll quickly see the effects of your new habits and more easily spot abnormal consumption.

All of these actions may seem modest when viewed separately. Taken together, repeated daily, they can save thousands of gallons each year.

To identify the biggest water users, also check our guide on water use in the home.

Article updated August 2026