Wasting water is no longer just harmful; it’s illegal.

Unfortunately, California’s drought only seems to be getting worse. Unusually dry conditions have lead some to call it the worst drought in the state’s history. Last month, the city of Los Angeles started a program in which you can now be fined for excessive use. What does “excessive use” mean? Watering between 9am and 4pm and on the wrongly designated days are just a few of the rules. First time violators receive a warning, followed by increasingly hefty fines for repeat offenders.

Everyone knows the basics of water conservation (shorter showers, watering the lawn less frequently), so here are some creative methods you might not have considered.

Re-use shower water

No matter what your kids might say, showering is unavoidable. You can reduce the amount of your shower, but the rest of us would appreciate if you stayed clean and sanitary. However, this doesn’t mean you have to become a water waster. Instead of letting all of that water go down the drain, never to be used again, save it. Just put a bucket or small tub along the shower floor to catch your runoff. Then use it to water your garden. You’ve now easily saved yourself a few gallons of H2O!

Check for outdoor leaks

Outdoor leaks can quietly drive up your water bill and make you a target for the city’s Drought Busters (the folks tasked with finding restriction violators). To make sure you’re safe, perform a weekly check of your outside fixtures. Any nozzle or sink that drips should be addressed. If simply turning it off doesn’t do the trick, you may have a bigger problem on your hands. In which case, it’s time to call the best plumber Los Angeles has to offer. Whether it’s a leaky faucet or burst pipe, Ritz Plumbing will determine the cause and location of your outdoor plumbing problem, and quickly repair it.

Tweak your diet

Did you know that it can take up to 1,800 gallons of water to yield just one pound of beef? We don’t often think of our food in terms of water consumption, but almost everything we eat requires it. From harvest to production, as well as other factors, we wouldn’t be able to survive without it. To help, many people reduce the amount of beef they consume, since its water footprint is so high. Likewise, certain fruits and vegetables are also better for conservation. Nectarines, for example, need relatively little water while mangos require more.

Live / vacation off the grid

While this may seem a bit extreme to some, many people have found that being solely responsible for their own home and utilities is deeply satisfying. As an alternative to traditional water mains, off-the-grid residents draw their water from wells. A professional can dig into the ground and tap into the water supply that exists naturally in the sub-surface. If you’re drawn to the solitary lifestyle but not sure you want to commit to it full time, try a short-term vacation. At the very least, you’ll save a little water in the meantime.