The average person uses 50 gallons of water a day. If you obtain water from a public water supply, your water bill lets you know that each drop wasted costs you money. Those of us who get our water from private wells are concerned about wells going dry. These simple tips can help us all save money and preserve New York's precious water supplies.

• Turn off the faucet while shaving, washing up, brushing teeth, and washing dishes.
  The average person uses 10.9 gallons of water from the faucet a day.
  
  
• Fix dripping and leaking faucets and toilets.
  A faucet leaking 30 drops per minute wastes 54 gallons a month.
  
  
• Don't run the tap to make water cold or hot.
  Instead, keep a pitcher of water in the fridge.
  
  
• Put a plastic jug filled with water in the tank of conventional toilets.
  You'll save that much volume in water each time you flush.
  
  
• Throw used facial tissues into the waste basket instead of using the toilet as a waste basket.
  You'll save up to 6 gallons of water each time you don't flush.
  
  
• Wash only full loads of dishes and laundry.
  The average dishwasher uses 8-12 gallons each usage whether or not it's a full load.
  
  
• Install water-saving plumbing fixtures.
  A low-flow showerhead saves up to 7.5 gallons a minute.
  
  
• Take shorter showers or fill bathtub only part way.
  The average person uses 15 gallons a day in bathing and hygiene.

• Raise your lawn mower cutting height.
  Longer grass needs less water.
  
  
• Use a pool cover.
  It will reduce water loss due to normal evaporation.
  
  
• Use mulch around shrubs and garden plants to save soil moisture.
  Apply organic mulches 4 inches deep to keep plants roots cool, prevent soil crusting, minimize evaporation, and reduce weed growth.
  
  
• Wash cars less frequently.
  If your car desperately needs a bath, take it to a car wash that recycles water.
  
  
• Sweep sidewalks and steps rather than hosing them.
  Eliminating a weekly 5-minute pavement hose-down could save between 625 and 2500 gallons of water per year depending on the flow rate.
  
  
• If your community allows watering, water lawns and gardens on alternate evenings instead of every day.
  Less frequent watering will develop grass with deeper roots, and night-time watering minimizes evaporation.
  
  
• Keep fire hydrants closed.
  Preserve water and water pressure for fighting fires!