Listen up, New Yorkers: Californians aren't the only ones who should save water

By Lucy Cohen Blatter | April 22, 2015 - 8:59AM

Assuming you haven't been living under a rock, you've probably heard that Californians are experiencing a major drought, with the governor calling for statewide water reductions.

It shouldn't take a drought for those of us over here to think about our water habits, too. In solidarity with our West Coast brethren, and in honor of Earth Day today, here are some easy ways New Yorkers can also save water, and how they help:

Run your washing machine and dishwasher only when full (note that dishwashers tend to use less water than washing dishes by hand). You can save up to 50 gallons of water per week by doing this.
Turn water off when brushing teeth or shaving (and save up to 2.5 gallons per minute). Also, when washing your hands, turn the water off while you lather.
Take five-minute showers instead of 10-minute showers, and save up to 8 gallons each time.
Use a broom to clean sidewalks instead of washing them and save 8-18 gallons a minute.

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