As you may have heard, we’re in a drought. Governor Jerry Brown announced earlier this week that Californians need to take major steps to save water or we’ll turn into dry, crispy, zombies. Ok, he didn’t say that last part, but it was implied. Here are 26 ways to conserve water at home.
A
Always ask yourself,What Would Captain Planet Do? You know he’d save water like a motherfucker!
B
Brick in the toilet tank. This will help displace the water in the tank so that you use less per flush. Any heavy object will do.
C
Colder showers. Not only is this a great way to stop thinking about how hot your roommate looks in a towel, it’s also a great water saving trick because water comes out of the shower head cold. Taking colder showers means you don’t have to wait for the stream to warm up to step under it. If you must take a warm shower collect the water that runs while it warms and use that later to wash your face or wet your toothbrush
D
Drink water at restaurants only when you know for a fact that you want it. When you sit at the table ask the server not to bring you a glass until you ask for one (although many drought-conscious restaurants now won’t bring it to unless you ask).
E
Early mornings or early evenings are the best time to water your lawn (or outdoor hanging plants) because the water will have time to soak in without evaporating. Note that the city may implement a full stop ban on lawn watering soon, though.
F
Fix your shower heads to be low flow. You can buy replacement shower heads pretty cheap that will help reduce the amount of water you use to bathe.
G
Go read Jerry Brown’s executive order. It details exactly what ways you are and aren’t allowed to use water in this state.
H
Hair washing doesn’t need to be an every day thing. You can easily chop a minute or two off your bathing routine by shampooing every other day. Use dry shampoo in between so you don’t turn into a grease monster.
I
Ice, placed in plants, prevents water overflow. Putting a cube or two in the soil of your potted plants gives the roots water without wasting the excess.
J
Just skip the garbage disposal. Sure it’s fun to hear how everything grinds together like the trash compacter in Star Wars but you could save water and just chuck food remnants into the compost bin.
K
Know the water production needed to make the things you consume, that can help you decide what to eat and what kinds of products to use.
L
Leaky faucets can waste water drop by drop so tighten them up. All you need are a few tools and you’ll be leak free in no time.
M
Money. Some water conservation groups will give you money in the form of rebates to replace certain appliances with more water efficient versions or to get rid of your lawns.
N
No baths. I know, I know, you work hard, you had a day, still! Baths use almost twice as much water as a quick shower.
O
Omit meat at least one day a week because meat production takes more water than plant production. Maybe now is the time to finally give veganism a shot!
P
Pee in the shower! Don’t tell your roommates I gave you permission to do that.
Q
Question your roommates and coworkers about how they’re doing their part to reduce water. If they’re not reducing at all, laugh smugly at them and email them this list.
R
Reuse towels at home and in hotels. The same goes for clothes that can be worn more than once, this will cut down on your laundry.
S
Soak dishes and pans instead of rinsing them constantly in the sink.
T
Thawing frozen food with water isn’t a good idea in a drought. Instead leave the frozen item in the fridge or on the counter while you’re at work, or zap it with a microwave’s defrost option.
U
Use a broom instead of a hose to clean the sidewalk. Depending on where you live, I’d recommend you have a designated “poop broom.”
V
Vines of the grape variety used for wine consume more water than it takes to grow barley for beer. More reason to drink beer this year.
W
Wash full loads of laundry instead of small ones. Or combine your roommate’s laundry with your own to make sure you’re washing as many clothes as possible at a time.
X
Xeric gardens are filled with plants that don’t need much water. Some succulents and flowers fall into the category of xeric and will make your house look chic without wasting water.
Y
Yellow, let it mellow — AKA don’t flush your pee. It’s not that gross. We’ve all seen a little pee now and then.
Z
Zebras. There are 11 different kinds of zebras and a couple of them are facing extinction. When you’re done saving water maybe try to save them too. Zebras are rad as hell!
