It’s easy to save water. See these tips.

Efficient water use can help save water, money on utility bills, and ensure reliable water supplies for future generations, according to experts.

Of the estimated 29 billion gallons of water used daily by households in the U.S., nearly 9 billion gallons, or 30%, is dedicated to outdoor water use. During the summer months or in dry climates, a household’s outdoor water use can be as high as 70%.

Every household can play a part in preserving the nation’s water resources. Here are some ways to conserve water from various sources, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Tips to help save on water

• Turn off the tap while shaving or brushing teeth.

• Showers use less water than baths, as long as you keep an eye on how long you’re in the shower.

• Check toilets for leaks monthly by putting a few drops of food coloring in the tank and seeing if the color appears in the bowl without flushing.

• Find and fix any leaky faucets.

• Plug up the kitchen sink or use a wash basin if washing dishes by hand.

• When you use the dishwasher, make sure it’s fully loaded.

• Scrape your plate instead of rinsing it before loading it into the dishwasher.

• Keep a pitcher of drinking water in the refrigerator instead of letting the faucet run until the water is cool.

• Thaw frozen foods in the refrigerator overnight rather than using a running tap of hot water.

• Add food waste to your compost pile instead of using the garbage disposal.

• Wash only full loads of laundry or use the appropriate water level or load size selection on the washing machine.

• To save money on your energy bills, set your washing machine to use cold water rather than hot or warm water.

• Sweep driveways, sidewalks, and steps rather than hosing them off.

• Install a rain barrel to collect rainwater for watering plants.

• Use mulch around plants to retain soil moisture and reduce evaporation.

• Wash the car with water from a bucket or consider using a commercial car wash that recycles water.

• If you have a pool, use a cover to reduce evaporation when the pool is not being used.

This reporting content is supported by a partnership with several funders and Journalism Funding Partners.

Erica Van Buren is the climate change reporter for The Augusta Chronicle, part of the USA TODAY Network. Connect with her at EVanBuren@gannett.com or on X: @EricaVanBuren32.

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Save on water by following these tips