Think while you use water, especially in the bathroom. Bathroom facilities constitute nearly 75% of the water used in the typical household.
Repair Leaks. A leak of just one drop per second wastes 3,000 gallons of water a year. Hot water leaks also waste the energy used to heat the water. Total cost per drip – $30 to $50 per year.
Install water-saving devices such as faucet aerators, new shower heads, and displacement devices (a brick in the tank) for toilets. Most devices cost little but save a lot of water and money.
Saving Water in the Bathroom
Never use your toilet as a wastebasket
Test for a flapper leak inside the toilet. A toilet flapper leak can waste up to 200 gallons of water a day! To test, add a few drops of dark food coloring to the water in the toilet tank. If the colored water appears in the bowl when not in use, the toilet flapper is leaking. A replacement costs $5 to $10 and installs in 30 seconds.
Install low-flow aerators and showerheads. They are inexpensive and easy to install.
Close the faucet flow while brushing your teeth or shaving.
Use a partially filled sink to rinse your razor.
Use a glass of water for rinsing teeth.
Take showers instead of tub baths, or take a shallow bath.
When showering, do not turn on the water “full blast.”
Take faster, shorter showers.
When showering, turn off the flow while soaping or shampooing.
Consider bathing small children together.
Saving Water in the Kitchen and Laundry
Refrigerate a bottle of drinking water instead of letting a faucet flow until the water is cold enough to drink.
Use a dishpan or plug the sink for washing and rinsing dishes. Install a low-flow aerator on all faucets.
Don’t run water continuously when washing dishes.
Avoid using a garbage disposal. Disposals use a great deal of water. Add your garbage to the compost or trash instead of putting it down the garbage disposal.
Pre-rinsing dishes prior to loading in a dishwasher is an unnecessary and wasteful use of water.
Operate the washing machine and dishwasher only when they are fully loaded. Use the proper water level or load size selection on the washing machine.
When purchasing a washing machine or dishwasher, consider water consumption as well as energy efficiency. Most manufacturers now provide this information to consumers.
Saving Water Outside
Wash your car with a bucket of soap and water, not with a hose.
Sweep your driveway, do not spray it clean with water.
