Here on O`ahu our primary source of drinking water is groundwater: fresh water that is filtered through mountain watersheds and held within the islands porous volcanic rock. These natural fresh water resources are limited, and planners project that by the year 2020 groundwater sources on Oahu will be fully developed. Water conservation is everyone's concern. Here are seven ways you can help save water now.

• Water lawns just 2-3 times a week. Lawns don't need to be watered every day. Even during the summer. The fact is, if you water just once every three days, you promote deeper root growth, making your lawn healthier and more water-efficient.
  
  
• Don't water lawns between 9am and 5pm. Water evaporates quickly when the sun is out. So if you water during the day, you're not watering the lawn, you're watering the sky. Instead, water in the early morning, evening, or at night. It'll keep the water where you want it: in your lawn.
  
  
• Check for leaky plumbing and toilets. How? Turn off water throughout your house, check your water meter, and check back two hours later. If it has moved, something's leaking. Checking toilet leaks is even easier with a free Board of Water Supply test tablet.
  
  
• Install water-efficient plumbing fixtures. A new toilet can save five gallons or more every flush. A new showerhead can save up to five gallons every minute. An aerator on your kitchen faucet can save up to five gallons daily. And, rebates are even available for some water-efficiency upgrades. Toilet rebates are currently available to residents who are switching from an high-flush to a low-flush toilet.
  Get a water saving toilet and get a rebate.
  
  
• Take shorter showers. Every minute you trim from your shower saves three to six gallons of water. So get in and out a little faster, or pause the water while you lather, shave, or shampoo.
  
  
• Put a nozzle on your garden hose. Left unattended, a running garden hose can waste over 100 gallons in just minutes. Use a shutoff or pressure nozzle, so you only use what you need when you're watering the plants, cleaning the house or washing the car.
  
  
• Don't let the faucet run and run. Turn off the tap while brushing teeth or shaving. In the kitchen, us a dishpan for soapy water, and rinse with clean water quickly. Just imagine all that water running all over the counter or floor, instead of down the drain. That'll give you a hint at how much water you're accidentally wasting.