There are a number of easy ways to save water, and they all start with YOU. When you save water, you save money on your utility bills. Here are just a few ways...
Check water bills for any instances of high water use, as this may be an indication of a leak.
- Leaking faucets, leaking toilets, and leaking pipes all have something in common, and they waste a lot of water! Your water bill will often show abnormal water consumption if there is a leak.
Toilets
Replace toilets installed before 1994 with High-Efficiency Tiolets (HETs).
- Replacing an older toilet that uses 3.50 gallons per flush (gpf) with a HET that uses 1.28 gpf will save 2.22 gpf. The EPA WaterSense program labels efficient toilets that use a maximum 1.28 gpf.
Check toilets to verify they are working properly.
- Make sure the water is not too high, the fill valve is working prpoerly, and the flapper is not leaking. A running toilet can waste hundreds of gallons of water per day.
Showers
Replace showerheads that have a flow rate greater than 2.5 gallons per minute (the current national energy policy act standard).
Take shorter showers.
- Reducing a 10-minute shower to 5 minutes will save 12.5 gallons of water if the showerhead has a flow rate of 2.5 gallons per minute (even more if the showerhead has a higher flow rate).
Laundry
When doing laundry, always wash full loads.
- Some of the new efficient washers will do this automatically.
When it's time to replace the clothers washer, choose a high-efficiency washer with a low water factor.
Dishwashing
If washing dishes by hand, fill the sink with water rather than continually running the tap.
Only wash full loads of dishes in the dishwasher.
Faucets
Find and fix any leaky faucets.
- A faucet leaking 60 drops per minute will waste 192 gallons per month. That is equal to 2,304 gallons per year.
Install efficient faucets and/ or faucet aerators.
Turn off the faucet.
- When lathering hands, shaving, or brushing teeth.
Landscaping
- If an irrigation system is used, make sure it is properly set up and maintained.
