instead of filling the sink, why not wash dishes the way you wash your hands, brush your teeth, or take a shower (if you are in the navy): quick rinse if necessary, scrub with wet soapy sponge, once all dishes are scrubbed off, then rinse them.
Less water than filling the whole sink, less water than the dishwasher, plus no electricity. I use cold water for this too, and haven't found it to clean any better or worse than before. It helps to fill bowls/pots with water if they are going to sit, which does cut into water savings, but makes for much less scrubbing