Georgia's historic drought makes water conservation vital for everyone. The average Georgian uses 70 gallons of water in the winter and 91 gallons in the summer, according to the Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District. Efficient water use is 50-65 gallons in the winter and 65-80 gallons in the summer.

• Here are a few pointers to help make every drop of water you use count.
• Check for leaks. Read your water meter before and after a two-hour period when no water is being used. If the meter reading isn't the same, you have a hidden water leak.
  
• Repair dripping faucets by replacing washers – a leak of one drop per second will waste 2,700 gallons of water per year.
• Retrofit faucets by installing aerators with flow restrictors.
• Make sure your dishwasher is completely full before running. Instead of using the garbage disposal, start a compost pile.
• Unlike your dishwasher, the amount of water your washing machine uses is adjustable. Make sure you set the water level for the correct load size.
• If you're considering buying a new washing machine, consider a front-loading model – they use less water than top-loading machines.
• Install a hot water recirculation device. By recirculating water that would normally go down the drain while you're waiting for hot water, you can save 2 to 3 gallons of water per shower or 16,500 gallons a year per household.
• When shaving, washing your face or brushing your teeth, turn the water off until you need to rinse.
• Replace your showerhead with an ultra-low-flow model and save up to 2.5 gallons of water per minute. Check for toilet leaks by adding food color to the water in the tank. If your toilet is leaking, the color will appear in the bowl within 30 minutes.
  

If you would like to find out how "water smart" your household is, download a water use audit.