SEATTLE — A drought is declared in Washington state when there is less than 75% of normal water supply due to low snowpack and forecasts for an extended period of dry, warm weather.
Residents looking to reduce water consumption in a time of drought can do their part, which may mean a change in habits.
The state Department of Ecology suggests homeowners and renters alike consider the following to reduce water consumption:
Indoors
Over half of water use inside a home is in the bathroom, according to Ecology.
Ecology suggests residents use high-efficiency toilets. Toilets are the main source of water use in a home, with nearly 30% of all indoor water consumption.
People looking to conserve water can also turn off water while shaving or brushing their teeth, which saves up to 4 gallons a minute.
Additionally, taking showers for less than 5 minutes can save up to 1,000 gallons of water per month, according to Ecology.
Kitchen
Ecology suggests residents only wash full loads of dishes and select the appropriate water level or load size option. Additionally, people should scrape their dishes before loading them in the dishwasher, rather than rinse them
When defrosting frozen foods, residents should thaw food in the refrigerator overnight instead of using water.
Keeping drinking water in the fridge instead of letting the faucet run until the water is cool is another way to conserve.
Laundry
Ecology suggests people only wash full loads of laundry or use the appropriate water level or load size on their washing machine. A high-efficiency washing machine can save more than 50% in laundry water and energy use.
Outdoors
In hot summer months or dry climates, outdoor water use can be as much as 70%, according to Ecology.
To conserve water, Ecology suggests planting native or drought tolerant plants.
Using a hose timer to avoid over-watering or soaker hoses also help reduce water consumption.
Residents can also consider collecting rainwater to use for landscaping.
To clear driveways, Ecology suggests using a broom or electric blower to clear driveways and sidewalks of debris.
When washing a car at home, Ecology suggests using an adjustable nozzle or sprayer and to turn off the water stream while soaping a vehicle.