It is important to conserve water during the holidays.  Portlanders can make a big difference by just incorporating a few simple tips into daily routines:

1. Use a large bowl or tub filled with water instead of letting the faucet run when washing veggies, thawing food or rinsing dishes. You will save about 2.5 gallons for every minute your faucet does not run.
2. Let your dishwasher do the work. The average dishwasher uses about 10 gallons or less per load.  Many kitchen faucets use the same amount of water by running for just four minutes. So, kick back and let your dishwasher do the work!
3. Wash only full loads. Dishwashers use about the same amount of energy and water regardless of the number of dishes inside, so run full loads whenever possible. The same is true when it comes to doing laundry!
4. Scrape instead of pre-rinsing. Scraping food off your dishes instead of pre-rinsing them can save about 20 gallons of water. Plus Energy Star qualified dishwashers and today's detergents are designed to do the cleaning so you don't have to. 
5. Keep your kitchen sink draining well. Pour your cooking grease into a can, freeze it, and then toss it into the trash instead of pouring it down the drain and letting the water run.

For more ways to use water efficiently and cost effectively, visit the Portland Water Bureau’s Water Efficiency webpage. 

Lindsay Wochnick
Community Information and Involvement