Water conservation is a good idea all the time. As our society continues to grow, its need for water increases. Thankfully, there are steps we can take to lower our water usage, according to Lowes.com.  Here are some tips for indoor conservation.

Check for leaks by checking your water meter. Turn off the water and note the meter measurement. Check again in 30 minutes to see if the reading has changed. If so, you have a leak- the toilet is the first suspect.

Replace your old toilet with a low-flush one. The older ones use 3-7 gallons of water per flush, while the new ones only use 1.5 gallons. Or you can devise a water displacement apparatus yourself. Fill a plastic bottle with water and something for weight, such as pebbles, and put it out of the way in the bottom of your tank.

Look for leaks. If you can see or hear water flowing into the bowl long after the rinse is complete, the tank’s leaking. A silent leak can be found putting a few drops of food coloring in the tank. If you see the coloring in the bowl after 30 minutes or so, you have a leak.

Bathroom and kitchen faucets can also leak, so check on them too. Add a low-flow aerator on your faucet. Water usage can be reduced by about half with no noticeable loss of efficiency.

Use dishwashers and clothes washers only for a full load. Pre-rinsing isn’t needed for newer dishwashers.