There are many things you can do to use less water that require no change in you and your family's lifestyles. Not only do these measures save you money on your water bill, but they also help the environment.

The City of Yuma Utilities Department has several recommendations to help you save:

• Shorten your showers by turning off the water while soaping or shampooing, and investigate flow restrictors and water-saving shower heads for the bath and other faucets.
• Operate automatic dishwashers and clothes washers only when they are fully loaded or properly set the water level for the size of load you are using.
• Never put water down the drain when there may be another use for it, such as watering a plant or garden or cleaning.
• Verify that your home is free of hidden leaks by reading your water meter before and after a two-hour period when no water is being used. If the meter does not read exactly the same, there is a leak.
• Repair dripping faucets and leaking pipes and valves.
• Retrofit all wasteful household faucets by installing aerators with flow restrictors.
• Insulate water pipes; you'll get hot water faster plus avoid wasting water while it heats up.
• When adjusting water temperatures, instead of turning water flow up, try turning it down. If the water is too hot or cold, turn the offender down rather than increasing water flow to balance the temperatures.
• Do not over water your lawn. When you do water, do it in the early morning or in the evening.
• Do not water your street, driveway, or sidewalk.  Use a broom to clean leaves and other debris from these areas.
• Position your sprinklers so that your water lands on lawn and shrubs, not the paved areas.
• Plant native and/or drought-tolerant grasses, ground covers, shrubs and trees. Once established, they do not need to be watered as frequently and they usually will survive a dry period without any watering. Group plants together based on similar water needs.
• If you have a swimming pool, use water-saving pool filters.
• If you wash your own car, park on the grass to do so.

For more information about ways you can reduce your water bill and help the environment, contact the City of Yuma Utilities Department.