By BECKY KISERHays Post The holiday season is here and many of us will have extra house guests and will be doing some extra cooking. As hectic as it may get this time of year, "it's important to remain good stewards of our water resources," says Holly Dickman, Hays water conservation specialist. Dickman has the following suggestions to keep water usage in check in the kitchen. <iframe class="ql-video" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BX9pfxDu3fs" height="315" width="560"></iframe> <ul><li>Thaw frozen turkeys and hams ahead of time in the refrigerator rather than using the "speed thaw" method in a sink full of water.</li><li>Collect water used to rinse fruits and vegetables to water houseplants, including live Christmas trees.</li><li>Use the correct-sized pots and pans for cooking. Larger pots may hold more water than necessary for the food being prepared, such as boiling potatoes.</li><li>Scrape food leftovers from plates into the garbage rather than rinsing the the plates or washing scraps down the garbage disposal which can use gallons of water each time.</li><li>Use the dishwasher but make sure it's full. A full dishwasher is much more water efficient than washing by hand.</li><li>If you must wash dishes by hand, fill one basin with soapy water and another with rinse water. No need to let the water run continuously.</li></ul> Dickman also suggests checking toilets for leaks before holiday guests arrive and make necessary repairs. "You can also install faucet aerators, low-flow shower heads, high efficiency toilets and washing machines, all of which can drastically reduce home water usage year-round," Dickman says. <a href="https://www.haysusa.com/161/Rebates-Programs" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Rebates</a> from the city of Hays are available through the end of the year for high efficiency toilets and washing machines. Faucet aerators and low-flow shower heads are available for free in Hays City Hall, 1507 Main.

🎥 Water-saving holiday tips: Thaw that turkey in the fridge