State officials offer these tips to help reduce water consumption:

• Homeowners should let their lawns go dormant, which is appropriate at this time of year.
• Refrain from watering your lawn, and turn sprinkler systems off automatic timers.
• Use a hose with a hand-held nozzle to water flowers and shrubs, or let them go dormant.
• Use a broom, rather than a hose, to sweep sidewalks.
• Wash vehicles with a bucket and do not run the hose more than necessary, or use a commercial car wash that recycles water.
• Only use dishwashers and washing machines if there’s a full load.
• Turn the water faucet off while brushing your teeth.
• Fix leaky faucets and pipes inside your home.
• Consider replacing your toilet with a low-flow version; this can save about 11,000 gallons of water per year.
• Upgrade your shower head to low-flow versions, which can save about 7,700 gallons per year.
• Upgrade your faucets or install faucet aerators; this can save about 16,000 gallons per year.

For more information about the state’s water supply status, water conservation tips and other details about the drought warning, go to the DEP’s drought page at www.njdrought.org.