Water Conservation

Water resources are finite and are getting smaller every year. Conserving water can not only help save money on utility bills, but it can also prevent water pollution in nearby lakes, streams, creeks, and local watersheds. Conserving water also prevents greenhouse gas emissions associated with treating and distributing water. 

Actions You Can Take

Toilets

  • Don't use the toilet as an ashtray or wastebasket
  • Put plastic bottles or 
  • float boosters in the toilet tank
  • Buy an adjustable toilet flapper
  • Install low or dual flush models

Laundry

  • Use clothes washer for only full loads
  • Consider a high-efficiency washing machine

Showers

  • Install water-saving showerheads, shower timers, and low-flow faucet aerators
  • Take shorter showers

Faucets and Sinks

  • Fit household faucets with aerators
  • Turn off the water after you wet your toothbrush
  • Rinse your razor in the sink
  • Minimize use of kitchen sink garbage disposal units
  • Opt for the dishwasher over hand washing
  • When washing dishes by hand, don't leave the water running for rinsing
  • Don't let the faucet run while you clean vegetables - rinse them in a stoppered sink or a pan of clean water
  • Keep a bottle of drinking water in the fridge

Leaks

  • Check faucets and pipes for leaks
  • Check your toilets for leaks
  • Use your water meter to check for hidden water leaks

Outdoors

  • Maximize the use of natural vegetation and establish smaller lawns
  • Set mower blades to 2-3 inches higher - longer grass shades the soil which improves moisture retention
  • Only water the lawn when necessary 
  • Apply mulch around shrubs and flower beds to reduce evaporation, promote plant growth, and control weeds
  • Add compost or an organic matter to soil as necessary, to improve soil condition and water retention
  • Collect rainfall for irrigation in a screened container (to prevent mosquito larvae growth)
  • When washing a car, wet it, then use a bucket of water to wash the car - use the hose for the final rinse
  • Always use a broom to clean walkways, driveways, decks, and porches, rather than hosing off those areas

Water Facts

  • In 1990, 30 states reported "water-stress" conditions
  • In 2000, 40 states reported "water-stress" conditions
  • In 2009, 45 states reported "water-stress" conditions
  • 75% of the water used indoors is in the bathroom and 25% of that is for the toilet
  • An average toilet uses 4 gallons of water per flush
  • Using water-saving features can reduce in-home water use by 35%
  • The average household uses 130,000 gallons per year
  • Leaky faucets that drip at the rate of one drop per second can waste up to 2,700 gallons of water each year
  • A leaky toilet can waste about 200 gallons of water every day
  • A full bathtub requires about 70 gallons of water while taking a 5-minutes shower uses 10-25 gallons
  • The average bathroom faucet flows at a rate of two gallons per minutes
  • The typical family suburban household uses at least 30 percent of water outdoors for irrigation
  • It is estimated that more than 50% of landscape water used goes to waste due to evaporation or runoff caused by overwatering
  • The average washing machine uses 40.9 gallons of water per load
  • If your toilet is from 1992 or earlier, it is more than likely an inefficient model that uses between 3.5 to 7 gallons per flush