- Avoid watering if there is rain in the forecast

- Water in the early morning and evening

- Start limiting outdoor watering to 4 hours a week.

Consider removing lawn where you can, and replacing with drought-tolerant, native plants that are suited for Calgary's climate and soil conditions.

Capture and reuse any rainwater Mother Nature provides this season.

Mulch will reduce the amount of water that evaporates from your soil, reducing your need to water your plants.

Keep your grass 5-7 cm (2-3") high to shade the soil and leave your clippings on the lawn to retain moisture.

If you don’t have a rain barrel, point your downspout away from your home’s foundation and toward your garden or lawn to make the best use of the rainwater.

Add a base of at least 20 cm (8”) of good quality soil for a healthy garden that retains water.

Prioritize watering your trees and shrubs over grass. Trees provide many benefits to Calgary’s urban environment and maintaining a healthy tree canopy during drought is important.

Irrigation systems are one of the most common household leaks. Schedule annual maintenance with an irrigation professional and check often for leaks.

By turning off the water when brushing your teeth you can save up to 32 litres per person per day!

Using your laundry machine/dishwasher when it's half full uses twice the amount water.

Each five minutes you reduce can save 100 litres of water.

Filling the tub only halfway (or less) when bathing children can save 40 litres or more every bath.

Place vegetables and fruit in a partially filled sink or pot to rinse them. Use the collected water to water house plants.

Scrape your plate into the compost bin. Do not rinse the food off dishes.

The average home could save up to 10 per cent on water use by fixing water leaks.

Look for the WaterSense label when upgrading toilets, faucets and showerheads.

When it’s time, replace your old dishwasher or washing machine with a model that uses less water.

Other quick and inexpensive ways to reduce water use in your home.