Inside the home you can save water, and money, in places where you use the most water – the bathroom, kitchen, and laundry room. Water-efficient devices such as dishwashers, showerheads, faucet aerators, and clothes washers can replace your older models, and will perform the same or better. In the long run you’ll save money by using these devices because the energy and water savings are so large they’ll more than make up for the up-front costs. Your water utility may help you to identify the best water-efficient devices and offer rebates on those models. Several utilities in the West even give out efficient showerheads and faucet aerators for free.
Outside the home, in the yard and in other landscaped areas, drip irrigation systems and rain sensors can help prevent overwatering of the landscape. And, your plants will look their best when receiving the right amount of water. The most water-efficient landscaping option is also a beautiful one – xeriscaping. This means planting native, drought-resistant plants and colorful flowers that require very little water and thrive naturally in the arid southwestern climate – it’s definitely not rocks and concrete! Xeriscaping can also reduce the amount of time and money spent on landscape maintenance.