How to Conserve Water While Living on a Cistern

Reducing water consumption in the home is important for saving money and being good to the environment, especially in arid regions where water is scarce. When using a cistern, filled either from groundwater or rainwater, water conservation is even more vital. Reducing water use requires care and attentiveness, but with a few small changes to your lifestyle, you can greatly reduce your water consumption.

• 1

  Follow the cardinal rule of water conservation: if it's brown, flush it down. If it's yellow, let it mellow. Flushing toilets use more water in the average home than showers or any other appliance. Only flush when necessary, and consider installing a low-flow toilet.

• 2

  Install a water-saving shower head. Failing that, don't keep the water running the whole time you're in the shower. Turn it on long enough to soak yourself, then turn it off while you lather up. Turn it back on again to rinse.

• 3

  Turn off the water while brushing your teeth, shaving or washing your hands. As with the shower, turn it on just long enough for the initial wetting, then turn it off while brushing.

• 4

  Don't leave the water running while doing dishes. Have one basin for cleaning dishes with detergent, and another full of clean water for rinsing.

• 5

  Reuse water whenever possible. Don't let the shower drain while bathing; use a bucket to bail out water and use it to fill the toilet tank or water plants. Use biodegradable detergent so that you can safely water the garden with your dishwater. Microbes in the soil will be able to process the soap, grease and any food particles without harming your plants as long as you use this "gray water" on a rotating basis: Don't pour the dishwater on the same patch of soil every day.

• 6

  Use the dishwasher or clothes washer only when full. It is also possible to direct the drain hose from these appliances into a bucket which can then be used to water plants.

• 7

  Reuse the same water cup or water bottle throughout the day, and in general try to use as few dishes as possible. This will cut down on water used in dishwashing.

• 8

  Rinse fruits and vegetables in a shallow basin of water, rather than under a running tap.

• 9

  Rather than using water to wash food waste down the garbage disposal, start a compost heap.

• 10

  Reuse towels and wear clothes more than once. Unless you're sweating a great deal from heat, humidity or exercise, or you spill something on your clothes, it is perfectly acceptable to wear the same outfit more than once without washing.

• 11

  Shower less frequently, or if you do shower, don't wash your hair every day. It can actually be bad for your hair to apply shampoo every day, as well as wasting water. If you feel a need to freshen up, wash your face and armpits with soap and water in the sink.