California is in a state of emergency. The ongoing drought has led to mandatory water reductions and, more recently, new water appliance standards that are expected to save 10 billion gallons of water in the first year alone.

So it is not only legally required and good for the environment, but water conservation is also really great for your family’s bottom line (no matter what state you live in!).

The big question is: how can you reduce the water usage in your home—especially if you have already made some water conservation efforts? Here are a few tips to help you conserve water around the house.

• Check for leaks. Observe your sink and outdoor faucets. Put a little food coloring in the toilet tank; if it appears in the bowl without anyone having flushed the toilet, there’s a leak. Read your water meter after a two-hour period of no water usage; if the meter does not read exactly the same, there is a leak.
• If you find a leak inside or outside, fix it!
• Turn off the water when you don’t really need it: while you’re brushing your teeth, for instance, while you’re soaping up in the shower, or while you’re scrubbing your car. Turn the water on again when you need to rinse.
• If you have a pool, cover it. According to National Geographic, the average pool requires about 22,000 gallons of water to fill—and hundreds of gallons can be lost due to evaporation each month.
• Get creative with your landscaping. Instead of a lawn that requires ample watering to remain green, consider drought-tolerant flowers and other plants, a succulent garden, or even a rock garden. Or replace part of your lawn with hardscaping where you can set up a seating area. Be sure to place a layer of mulch around your plants to reduce evaporation of irrigation water.
• Re-use your water: water you’re dumping from the fish tank, water used to cook vegetables, water used in a double boiler—all can be re-used as irrigation for your plants. (If re-using hot water, be sure it has cooled before using it to irrigate.)
• Consider the age of your major appliances (washing machine, dishwasher, ice-making refrigerator) and their efficiency. It may be cost-effective—and water-smart—to replace them with new, more efficient machines. You may also be eligible for rebates when purchasing new, efficient appliances.
• Do an irrigation overhaul on your outdoor landscaping: replace old sprinklers with new, efficient sprinklers (again, you may be eligible for rebates) and install a timer system with a sensor that can automatically reduce water usage on rainy and overcast days.

Beall Financial and Insurance Services has been working with business-owners for more than 25 years to help them protect their most important assets, and their companies’ future. If you have questions about insurance coverage for your business, contact us.