Clothes washers can use as much as 30-35 gallons of water per cycle and dishwashers as much as 25 gallons per cycle. A full dishwasher is more water efficient than washing the same load by hand.

TIPS (from the American Water Works Association)

• Operate the dishwasher and washing machine only when completely full.
• If you wash dishes by hand, don't leave the water running for rinsing. Use a dishpan for washing and rinsing dishes.
• Wash fruits and vegetables is a basin. Use a vegetable brush.
• Keep drinking water in the refrigerator instead of letting the faucet run until the water is cool.
• Use the appropriate water level of load size selection on the washing machine.
• Consider purchasing a horizontal-axis washing machine. Horizontal-axis clothes washers save energy and water. Conventional washers use a large vertical drum to soak and wash the clothes. Most high-efficiency clothes washers have a horizontal-axis drum, which tumbles the clothes through a pool of water. In addition, manufacturers say high-efficiency machines get clothes cleaner and are gentler to fabrics.

WEBSITES

 Energy Star Clothes Washers

 CEE Residential Clothes Washers

 Energy Star Dishwashers

 CEE Residential Dishwashers