We use water for a wide variety of kitchen tasks. In addition to boiling it to cook food, we use it when we're washing dishes either by hand or in a dish washer, defrosting food and filling cups for drinks. Often, the water runs the entire time during these tasks.

A few simple conservation practices however, can save significantly on water use around the home, especially in the kitchen, and help put a dent in the household utility bill.

Here are a few ways you can save water in the kitchen:

• Keep drinking water in the refrigerator instead of letting the faucet run until the water is cool.

• Wash fruits and vegetables in a basin; use a vegetable brush.

• Do not use water to defrost frozen foods; thaw in the refrigerator overnight.

• Scrape, rather than rinse, dishes before loading into the dishwasher. Only use the washer when it has a full load.

• Consider creating a compost pile in the yard, where you can dispose of biodegradable kitchen leftovers and scraps, rather than using the garbage disposal.

Source: Environmental Protection Agency