Consumer Tips for Conserving Water
- Repair all leaky faucets, especially hot water faucets, as quickly
as possible. You'll save water and energy, too.
- Install a flow restrictor in your shower. It's easy to install and
saves water by restricting the flow to four gallons per minute - which
is adequate for showering. Remember that using more hot water than you
really need wastes both water and electricity or gas.
- Be sure your dishwasher is full but not overloaded when you turn it
on. An average dishwasher uses 14-16 gallons of hot water per load.
- Don't let the water run while you shave. Turn on the spigot only as
needed. This will save from four to five gallons per day.
- Use your washing machine only when you have a full load. Half loads
double your water bill.
- Do not let the water run while you brush your teeth. This may waste
up to 10 gallons per water per day per family.
- Check your toilets. Does the tank overfill and waste water through
the overflow pipe? Check the seating valve on the bottom of the flush
tank: is it seating completely to avoid wasting?
- A good test for spills in the toilet system is to put a little bluing
into the flush tank; if it shows up in the bowl (without flushing),
water is being wasted.
- Limit showers to five minutes, or use only five inches of water in
the tub. Install new shower heads that conserve water.
- Wash your car from a bucket, using the hose to wet the car beforehand
- or to rinse.
- Water the lawn or garden in the early morning or late evening, not
in the heat of midday.
- Sweep walks and driveways instead of hosing them off.
- Don't leave water running to scrape dishes or clean vegetables.
- Keep a jug of water in the refrigerator.