Inside the Home

In the bathroom

  • The bathroom uses approximately 2/3 of the water used in an average home.
    • Take shorter showers. Shortening the time in the shower can save 2.5 - 5 gallons for each minute.
    • Adjust the water level inside the tank to about 1/2 an inch or so below the top of the overflow tube in the center of the tank. The toilet is leaking if the water level is at the top of the overflow tube. Flush the toilet and adjust the plunger ball to set the water level.
    • Dispose of trash in the wastebasket instead of the toilet. Disposing of used facial tissues, gum wrappers, lint, cigarette butts, etc. in a toilet is a waste of water and contaminates water needlessly.
    • Repair dripping faucets. A dripping faucet can waste as much as 20 gallons / day; that is an equivalent of more than 7,000 gallons / year.
    • Replace older showerheads (5 - 10 gallons / minute) with low-flow showerheads (2.5 gallons / minute).
    • Replace older toilets (3 - 5 gallons / flush) with water saver toilets (1.6 gallons / flush).
    • Turn the water off while brushing teeth and shaving.

In the kitchen

  • Letting the water run while doing everyday chores in the kitchen can easily use up to 33 gallons of water at a time.
    • Dispose of food scraps in the garbage can rather than the garbage disposal.
    • Keep a container of drinking water in the refrigerator rather than running the tap for a cool drink of water.
    • Rinse fruits and vegetable in a filled sink or pan full of water.
    • Use a disinfectant wipe, not a dishrag or sponge to clean off counters; then throw it in the trash.
    • Use the dishwasher only for full loads; whenever possible use the low water level feature.

In the laundry

  • Pre-soak heavily soiled laundry.
  • Wash full loads only in the washing machine, or set the water level to the appropriate setting for each size load.

In the utility room

  • Check the timer for how often your home water softening equipment regenerates and backwashes. It can use as much as 100 gallons of water each time it cycles. Reserve softened water for kitchen use, bathing and laundry. Use unsoftened water for all other purposes.