1. Turn off the water while brushing your teeth. You may have heard this one before, but there’s a good reason for that. Saves three gallons each day.

2. Water your lawn only when it needs it. Step on your grass. If it springs back when you lift your foot, it doesn't need water. Saves 750-1,500 gallons per month. Especially in times of drought, water with a hose instead of using a sprinkler system.

3. Fix leaky faucets and plumbing joints. Saves 20 gallons per day for every leak stopped. While you’re at it, install water-saving showerheads or flow restrictors. Saves 500 to 800 gallons per month.

4. If you wash dishes by hand—and that's the best way—don’t leave the water running for rinsing. If you have two sinks, fill one with rinse water. If you only have one sink, use a spray device or short blasts instead of letting the water run. Saves 200 to 500 gallons a month. If you use a dishwasher, run only full loads—do the same with your washing machine. Saves 300 to 800 gallons per month.

5. Put a layer of mulch around trees and plants. Chunks of bark, peat moss, or gravel slow down evaporation. Saves 750 to 1,500 gallons a month.

6. If you're taking a shower, don't waste cold water while waiting for hot water to reach the showerhead. Catch that water in a container to use on your outside plants or to flush your toilet. Saves 200 to 300 gallons a month. Then, when you get in the shower, shorten the amount of time you spend in it. Even a one or two minute reduction can save up to 700 gallons per month.

7. Set lawn mower blades one notch higher. Longer grass means less evaporation. Saves 500 to 1,500 gallons each month.

8. Keep a bottle of drinking water in the refrigerator. This beats the wasteful habit of running tap water to cool it for drinking. Saves 200 to 300 gallons a month.

9. Use the garbage disposal less and the garbage more (even better—compost!). Saves 50 to 150 gallons a month.

10. Dispose of hazardous materials properly! One quart of oil can contaminate 250,000 gallons of water—effectively eliminating that much water from our water supply. Contact your city or county for proper waste disposal options.

This information comes from the Mono Lakes Website, a great resouce for water conservation tips.