Kitchen

• Collect the water you use for rinsing fruits and vegetables, then reuse it to water houseplants.
• Eat seasonally and locally. Learn more about water use in food production at: www.igd.com
• Designate one glass for your drinking water each day or refill a water bottle. This will cut down on the number of glasses to wash.
• If you accidentally drop ice cubes when filling your glass from the freezer, don't throw them in the sink. Drop them in a house plant instead.
• When washing dishes by hand, fill the sink basin or a large container and rinse when all of the dishes have been soaped and scrubbed.
• One more way to get eight glasses of water a day is to re-use the water left over from cooked or steamed foods to start a scrumptious and nutritious soup.
• Throw trimmings and peelings from fruits and vegetables into your yard compost to prevent using the garbage disposal.
• Wash your fruits and vegetables in a pan of water instead of running water from the tap.
• When washing dishes by hand, don't let the water run while rinsing. Fill one sink with wash water and the other with rinse water.
• For cold drinks keep a pitcher of water in the refrigerator instead of running the tap. This way, every drop goes down you and not the drain.
• If your dishwasher is new, cut back on rinsing. Newer models clean more thoroughly than older ones.
• Soak pots and pans instead of letting the water run while you scrape them clean.
• Don't use running water to thaw food. Defrost food in the refrigerator for water efficiency and food safety.

Appliances

• Some refrigerators, air conditioners and ice-makers are cooled with wasted flows of water. Consider upgrading with air-cooled appliances for significant water savings.
• Use the garbage disposal sparingly. Compost vegetable food waste instead and save gallons every time.
• Maximize dishwasher and laundry by only running machines when they are full.
• Run your clothes washer and dishwasher only when they are full. You can save up to 1,000 gallons a month.
• When buying new appliances, consider those that offer cycle and load size adjustments. They're more water and energy efficient.
• Washing dark clothes in cold water saves both on water and energy while it helps your clothes to keep their colors.
• When doing laundry, match the water level to the size of the load.
• Install an instant water heater near your kitchen sink so you don't have to run the water while it heats up. This also reduces energy costs.
• When shopping for a new clothes washer, compare resource savings among Energy Star models. Some of these can save up to 20 gallons per load, and energy too.
• Look for products bearing the EPA WaterSense Label for items that been certified to save 20% or more without sacrificing performance.
• Insulate hot water pipes for more immediate hot water at the faucet and for energy savings.

Indoors

• When cleaning out fish tanks, give the nutrient-rich water to your plants.
• Have your plumber re-route your gray water to trees and gardens rather than letting it run into the sewer line. Check with your city codes, and if it isn't allowed in your area, start a movement to get that changed.
• When you give your pet fresh water, don't throw the old water down the drain. Use it to water your trees or shrubs.
• Drop your tissue in the trash instead of flushing it and save water every time.

Landscaping

• Plant in the fall when conditions are cooler and rainfall is more plentiful.
• Adjust sprinklers so only your lawn is watered and not the house, sidewalk, or street.
• Choose shrubs and groundcovers instead of turf for hard-to-water areas such as steep slopes and isolated strips.
• Rather than following a set watering schedule, check for soil moisture two to three inches below the surface before watering.
• Adjust your lawn mower to a higher setting. A taller lawn shades roots and holds soil moisture better than if it is closely clipped.
• Use sprinklers for large areas of grass. Water small patches by hand to avoid waste.
• Adjust your watering schedule each month to match seasonal weather conditions and landscape requirements.
• We're more likely to notice leaks indoors, but don't forget to check outdoor faucets, sprinklers and hoses for leaks.
• Walkways and patios provide space that doesn't ever need to be watered. These useful "rooms" can also add value to your property.
• Check the root zone of your lawn or garden for moisture before watering using a spade or trowel. If it's still moist two inches under the soil surface, you still have enough water.
• Use a rain gauge, or empty tuna can, to track rainfall on your lawn. Then reduce your watering accordingly.
• Catch water in an empty tuna can to measure sprinkler output. One inch of water on one square foot of grass equals two-thirds of a gallon of water.
• Water your lawn and garden in the morning or evening when temperatures are cooler to minimize evaporation.
• Spreading a layer of organic mulch around plants retains moisture and saves water, time and money.
• If water runs off your lawn easily, split your watering time into shorter periods to allow for better absorption. Leave lower branches on trees and shrubs and allow leaf litter to accumulate on the soil. This keeps the soil cooler and reduces evaporation.
• Plant with finished compost to add water-holding and nutrient-rich organic matter to the soil.
• Use sprinklers that deliver big drops of water close to the ground. Smaller water drops and mist often evaporate before they hit the ground.
• Reduce the amount of lawn in your yard by planting shrubs and ground covers appropriate to your site and region.
• Install a rain sensor on your irrigation controller so your system won't run when it's raining.
• Use drip irrigation for shrubs and trees to apply water directly to the roots where it's needed.
• Apply water only as fast as the soil can absorb it.
• Consult with your local nursery for information on plant selection and placement for optimum outdoor water savings.
• Water only when necessary. More plants die from over-watering than from under-watering.
• Direct water from rain gutters and HVAC systems toward water-loving plants in the landscape for automatic water savings.
• Use a trowel, shovel, or soil probe to examine soil moisture depth. If the top two to three inches of soil are dry it's time to water.
• Set a kitchen timer when watering your lawn or garden to remind you when to stop. A running hose can discharge up to 10 gallons a minute.
• Wash your pets outdoors in an area of your lawn that needs water.
• Learn how to shut off your automatic watering system in case it malfunctions or you get an unexpected rain.
• Trickling or cascading fountains lose less water to evaporation than those spraying water into the air.
• Use a minimum amount of organic or slow release fertilizer to promote a healthy and drought tolerant landscape.
• Group plants with the same watering needs together to avoid overwatering some while underwatering others.
• Aerate your lawn at least once a year so water can reach the roots rather than run off the surface.
• To decrease water from being wasted on sloping lawns, apply water for five minutes and then repeat two to three times.
• Water your plants deeply but less frequently to encourage deep root growth and drought tolerance.
• Don't water your lawn on windy days when most of the water blows away or evaporates.
• Use a layer of organic material on the surface of your planting beds to minimize weed growth that competes for water.
• When the kids want to cool off, use the sprinkler in an area where your lawn needs it the most.
• Let your lawn go dormant during the summer. Dormant grass only needs to be watered every three weeks or less if it rains.
• Next time you add or replace a flower or shrub, choose a low water use plant for year-round landscape color and save up to 550 gallons each year.
• Remember to check your sprinkler system valves periodically for leaks and keep the sprinkler heads in good shape.
• For hanging baskets, planters and pots, place ice cubes under the moss or dirt to give your plants a cool drink of water and help eliminate water overflow.
• If installing a lawn, select a turf mix or blend that matches your climate and site conditions.

Outdoors

• Use a broom instead of a hose to clean your driveway and sidewalk and save water every time.
• Wash your car on the lawn, and you'll water your lawn at the same time.
• Install covers on pools and spas and check for leaks around your pumps.
• Use a commercial car wash that recycles water.
• Avoid recreational water toys that require a constant flow of water.
• Make sure your swimming pools, fountains, and ponds are equipped with recirculating pumps.
• Use a hose nozzle or turn off the water while you wash your car. You'll save up to 100 gallons every time.

Other

• Monitor your water bill for unusually high use. Your bill and water meter are tools that can help you discover leaks.
• Report broken pipes, open hydrants and errant sprinklers to the property owner or your water provider.
• Know where your master water shut-off valve is located. This could save water and prevent damage to your home.
• While staying in a hotel or even at home, consider reusing your towels.
• Encourage your school system and local government to develop and promote water conservation among children and adults.
• Support projects that use reclaimed wastewater for irrigation and industrial uses.
• When you save water, you save money on your utility bills too. Saving water is easy for everyone to do.
• Make suggestions to your employer about ways to save water and money at work.
• Share water conservation tips with friends and neighbors.

Thanks to: http://wateruseitwisely.com/100-ways-to-conserve/