Even with yesterday’s rain, it will take a while for water levels to catch up. There are many small steps we can all take to conserve water in our homes.

UConn Extension has these ten tips for your lawn and garden.

1. Take shorter showers
2. Run dishwashers and washing machines with full loads
3. Use water only as needed when washing dishes, shaving, and brushing teeth.
4. Fix leaky faucets – a leaky faucet can waste 20 gallons or more per day. Verify your home is leak free by checking your water meter before and after a one-hour period when no water is being used. If the reading on the meter isn’t exactly the same, there is a leak somewhere.
5. Install a displacement device in the toilet tank; it will cut down on the amount of water needed per flush.
6. Don’t wash cars, driveways, sidewalks or other areas that can wait until water levels are restored. Avoid power washing buildings as well. Use a broom and dustpan to clean sidewalks, decks and porches when possible.
7. Consider adding a rain garden to your landscape. Watch this webinar for more information.
8. As you replace appliances (toilets, dishwasher, and washing machine), make energy efficient choices.
9. Have a water-wise lawn and garden.
10. In the warmer months, raise the thermostat on air conditioners when no one will be in the space for several hours.