Water Saving Tips

Conserving water helps save money and aids in preserving a precious natural resource.  Review the information below for practical tips to maximize water efficiency, curb waste and promote responsible water habits.   Every drop saved contributes to a more sustainable and water-secure future.

Indoor Water Conservation Tips 

Examine all pipes and faucets for potential leaks.  You may be losing gallons of water daily through unnoticed drips.  Even a small drip can waste 50 or more gallons of water per day.

Identify hidden toilet leaks

Test your toilets for hidden leaks.  Add food coloring to the tank water; if the color seeps into the bowl without flushing, it indicates a leak, which can waste more than 100 gallons of water per day.

Put a plastic water bottle in your toilet tank

Put an inch or two of sand or pebbles in the bottom of a one liter bottle to weigh it down.  Fill the rest of the bottle with water and put it in your toilet tank, safely away from the operating mechanism.  In an average home, the bottle may save five gallons or more of water per day, without harming the efficiency of the toilet.   If you tank is big enough, you may even be able to put two bottles in the tank.

Smart bathing

Opt for partially filled tubs over full ones.  A typical bathtub can hold over 50 gallons of water.

Efficient showering

Install water-saving showerheads.  Additionally, turn off the water while lathering or shampooing, and try to limit your showering time.  A typical shower uses 5-10 gallons of water per minute.

Mindful tap habits 

  • Brushing Teeth – wet your brush, fill a glass for rinsing.   Then turn off faucet.  Turn back on to quickly rinse your brush.
  • Shaving – Fill the bottom of the sink with a few inches of warm water in which to rinse your razor.
  • Fruit & Vegetable Rinsing – Rinse in a bowl or partially filled sink of clean water, rather than running the tap.

Refrigerate water

Keep a bottle of chilled water in the refrigerator instead of running the tap until it’s cold.

Laundry efficiency 

Only wash full loads, or adjust the machine settings to match the load size. Your washing machine uses 30-35 gallons per cycle.

Dishwashing tips

  • Dishwasher - Ensure your dishwasher is loaded to capacity before running it, reducing frequency of washes.
  • Hand Wash – If you have two sinks, fill one with rinse water.   If you only have one sink, first gather all your washed dishes in a dish rack, then rinse them quickly with a spray device or a pan of water.