Let’s take a look at six simple ways to cut your monthly water bill by up to 20%.

1. Get a low-flow shower head

Most of us shower every day, often multiple times a day.  Low-flow showerheads are relatively inexpensive, and you probably won’t notice the difference in water pressure.  Today’s models usually mix in air in order to make it feel like just as much water is shooting out.

2. Only run full loads in the washer and dishwasher

This is pretty self-explanatory.  It just doesn’t make sense to run the dishwasher or washing machine if the appliances are only half full.  Wait until you have enough for a full load.

3. Keep a water bottle in the refrigerator for drinking

If you regularly drink water from the tap, then you’re turning the water on and off every time you want a glass of water.  Chances are you let the faucet run for a moment and don’t shut it off the exact second the glass is full.  Keep a pitcher or water bottle in the fridge for your drinking water and eliminate the need to turn the tap on and off multiple times a day.

4. Rinse vegetables in a filled sink instead of under running water

If you’re buying fruits and veggies at the grocery store, there’s no telling what’s on them, so it’s always practical to wash them off before you eat them.  But instead of washing them one at a time under running water, fill the sink with a bit of water and then wash all your fruits and veggies at once (maybe when you are unloading groceries) to save the need to turn on the tap multiple times a day.

5. Water the lawn in the evening instead of during the day

Plants are better at absorbing water in the evenings than in the heat of the day, so you’ll use less water keeping the lawn green.  Of course, an even better use of your water would be to dig up some of that lawn and plant an edible landscape that can further save you money (by cutting back on the fruits and veggies you need to buy).

6. Install a dual-flush toilet

If your old toilets are looking rickety and it’s time to replace them anyway, consider a dual flush model.  These toilets let you make a little flush for small jobs, and you can reserve the big flush for the serious stuff.  This will send a lot fewer gallons into the sewers every month.

Typically rain water that falls in urban and suburban neighborhoods is channeled straight into drain systems and lost.  By using rain barrels or even water collection tanks you can reduce your reliance on city water, which may not always be as cheap and readily available as it is today.

The rain that you collect in a barrel or tank can be used for gardening, filling a pond or pool, flushing toilets, doing the laundry, showering, and even drinking if you set up a filtering system.

According to True Green: 100 Everyday Ways you Can Contribute to a Healthier Planet, “Every 3.5 ounces of rainfall running off the average home roof can provide enough water for several weeks of total household consumption.  In fact, using a rain barrel to capture water from a downspout, a 2,0000-square-foot-home can collect as much as 36,000 gallons of rainwater each year.”

That’s a lot of water!

Before it’s time to water the garden again, think about at least installing a rain barrel (you can find a brand new one for less than $150 and used ones for less).