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Water conservation is a big issue as we finally wake up to the fact that our finite supply of water is not going to last infinitely. Saving water is everyone’s duty and doing so is even more important for people living in big cities since limited resources need to be shared by very large populations in big cities. In order to make sure that there is enough water to fulfill everyone’s needs in a big city, we can all follow some of these simple and easy tips to save water:

• Never keep the water running unnecessarily while performing your daily toilette. Shut off the faucet while brushing, shaving and washing your hands and turn it on only when you really need to wash, and not when you are just waiting to.

• Operate your washing machine and dishwasher only with full loads instead of using them for washing partial loads and you can end up saving hundreds of gallons per week.

• Mend all the leaks in your bathroom, kitchen and garden and you can end up saving up to fifty gallons of water per day.

• Start using aerated showerheads and taps to save water. They will give you a similar water pressure but save up to 50% water by combining their water flow with air.

• Do not keep the water running while doing dishes or washing vegetables. Instead, fill a sink with water and wash your dishes and vegetables in it.

• Fill a jug or bottle with water to drink and keep it on your kitchen counter or fridge. This will stop you from running the faucet till it starts producing cold water.

• If you have a garden, then water it during early morning hours, since this is the time when evaporation is the least. Plant during spring or fall since your plants will need lesser water as compared to planting in the summer. Do not let your sprinkler run unattended and make sure that it sprinkles only over your green area instead of watering your drive and passage.

• Cook food in utensils that are the appropriate size instead of cooking in large pans since larger utensils would require more water for cooking the same amount of stuff. Use the minimum amount of water possible for cooking. This will not only save water, it will also ensure that you lose lesser nutrients from your food.

• Attach spray nozzles to your garden hose so that you can regulate the flow of water as and when you need it. A lot of plants die due to over watering. With a controlled hose, you can ensure that you provide just the required amount of water to your plants. At the same time you can save tens of gallons of water by stopping the water supply while moving from one place to another or directing water where it is needed instead of letting it flow uselessly.

• Shorten the time period of your shower. Every minute in the shower wastes at least four to five gallons of water. You can easily save ten gallons of water per shower if you shorten your shower by just two minutes.