Toilets and Showerheads
- If your home was built before 1995 and the toilets have not been replaced since then, consider replacing them with new 1.28 gallons per flush WaterSense® labeled toilets. WaterSense® labeled toilets could save the average family 13,000 gallons of water per year!
- Interesting Fact: Nationally, if all old, inefficient toilets in the United States were replaced with WaterSense® labeled models, we could save 520 billion gallons of water per year, or in other words, the amount of water that flows over Niagara Falls in about 12 days.
- Fix your leaky toilet. Leaking toilets can waste up to 200 gallons a day, and most leaks can be fixed by replacing the toilet flapper. These flappers seal water into the tank and allow water to exit the tank when you flush. How can you check for a leak? Place a Toilet Dye Tablet (or a drop of food coloring) in the toilet's tank and wait 10 minutes. If the color shows up in the toilet bowl, you have a leak. Most leaks can be repaired by simply replacing a worn toilet flapper.
- Showering is one of the leading ways we use water in our homes. Installing a low-flow showerhead can cut the amount of water you use in half. The average person can use up to 500 gallons of water per month with a traditional showerhead. If your showerhead can fill up a one-gallon bucket in less than 20 seconds, you should consider replacing it with a high-efficiency showerhead.
Kitchen and Bathroom Sinks
- Listen for dripping faucets, fixing a leak could save 500 gallons each month. And consider getting sink aerators to limit the amount of water you're using. With our free conservation kits, you will receive 2 bathroom sink aerators and 1 kitchen sink aerator. Again, visit the Rebates and Incentives page for more information. They're very easy to install and can save you money on your water bill. All these little savings will add up!
Appliances
- Only operate dishwashers and washing machines when full. Running the washing machine only when you have a full load of laundry, could save you up to 600 gallons of water each month. Again, if you have older appliances, consider replacing them with WaterSense® labeled ones. Newer models of dishwashers only use 2 to 4 gallons per load and require less pre-washing of the dishes. Simply scrape the remaining food off your plates and place them in the machine as is, saving yourself time, water, and hopefully money!
- Garbage disposals require a lot of water and energy. Try composting that kitchen food waste instead of putting it in the garbage disposal. Check out the "Outdoor Savings Tips" section for more information on composting.