Simple Ways to Start Saving on Your Water Bill -- Today

Faucet leaks are usually easy to detect … and easy to remedy. Take care of them right away.

Toilet leaks are a little trickier to spot. If you suspect you have one, add several drops of food coloring to the toilet tank, let stand a few minutes without flushing, and see whether the color shows up in the bowl. Kids love this "experiment," adults not so much, because it usually ends up meaning you've got a leaky toilet to fix.

When you have a large load of dirty dishes, which method is better for conserving water -- running them through the dishwasher or washing them by hand? You might be surprised to find that machine dishwashing uses less water, as long as you run only full loads; Energy Star-certified dishwashers are even more efficient.

Fill up your clothes washer as well, but don't overload or your socks, shirts, and undies won't get as clean as you would like. Many washing machines come with an adjustable water level feature, which may be operated automatically, manually, or both.

Wean yourself away from water-hogging habits. Running the water when you're not actually using it is a prime water waster, rivaled only by letting leaks go unrepaired. Turn off the tap when you brush your teeth or scrub your hands. In the shower, cut the flow of water while lathering up or shaving; if you've been relying on a constant stream of hot water to keep you warm, install a bathroom-safe wall- or ceiling-mounted electric heater. True, it uses electricity, but it is still greener than leaving the shower on (besides wasting water, the latter takes fuel to heat the water).

And about the water that goes down the drain while you're waiting for it to heat up? Catch it in a bucket and use it for watering houseplants. Or come up with your own imaginative ideas. I take my trusty Crocs into the shower occasionally, to rinse them in that initial cold-water flow. (Don't try this if they are crusty with dirt from gardening -- it's really not kind to your drain!)