Water conservation is crucial. Because water is a source that is readily available to us at just the turn of a dial, we often abuse this privilege and overuse. Conserving water is very easy to do, and requires just a few adjustments in your home life. The act of conserving water will become second nature and will also reward you with a lower water and waste bill. Here are some simple tips you can start applying to help save water.

Outside:

Most lawns do not need to be watered more than twice per week. Water your lawn early in the morning, typically between the times of 4 and 8 a.m. Watering later in the day encourages water evaporation because of the sun and winds, and watering in the evening can cause fungus in your grass and promote insect activity.

Alternately, you can also install a sprinkler system and put it on a timer. Often times, homeowners will turn on their sprinklers and forget to turn them off, wasting much-needed water.

Don't water your driveway or sidewalk. Clean up debris by sweeping.

Purchase a spray nozzle for your hose with an automatic shut-off switch so water only comes out of your house when triggered, and make sure the hose fits the faucet perfectly so there are no leaks while you water your lawn.

Bathroom:

Take shorter showers. Get in, soap, and get out.

Install a low-flow shower head.

Check your toilet tanks for leaks. A simple way to check for leaks is to put food coloring into your tank. The color will appear in your bowl within 30 minutes if there is a leak.

Avoid flushing the toilet unless absolutely necessary. It's necessary to flush urine and fecal waste down the drain but not tissue or other flushable items.

Additionally, you can replace your toilet with a low-flow toilet. Research has shown that switching to water-efficient plumbing fixtures could save the average household as much as $50 to $100 per year on their water bill.

Make sure you turn the water off in your sink while brushing your teeth or shaving.

Kitchen:

Avoid thawing your meats and other frozen foods by running it in hot water. Plan your meals ahead and leave it to defrost overnight or pop it in the microwave.

Miscellaneous:

Keep an eye out on your water meter by conducting a simple test. Don't use your water for a few hours. If the meter does not read the same, then there is a leak in your home.

Consider insulating your water pipes so that water will heat up faster.