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| Often times, the water that we use in our own homes can be used more efficiently. Did you know?
For an average family, the majority of indoor water is used in the following areas. - 27% flushing toilets
- 22% washing clothes
- 17% showering
- 15% using faucets
- 14% on leaks
- 2% taking baths
- 1% washing dishes
- 2% other uses
Below are suggested ways you can reduce your indoor water use. Bathrooms - Check all faucets, pipes and toilets periodically for leaks.
- Install water saving, or low-flow, shower heads. Low-flow showerheads deliver 2.5 gallons of water per minute, or less, and can save up to 5 gallons per minute over traditional shower heads.
- Take shorter showers, take a bath, or even consider taking a “Navy shower.” Get wet, turn the water off, lather up and rinse off.
- Install a low-flow or dual-flush toilet Ultra-low flow toilets use only 1.6 gallons of water per flush. Dual flush toilets have a button for liquid flushes (.8 gallons per flush) and a button for solid flushes (1.6 gallons per flush). Dual flush toilets can save up to 68 percent in a residential environment.
- Check for toilet leaks. Remove the toilet tank cover and drip 10 drops of food coloring or dissolving dye into the tank. After it has had time to sit for a little while, check for color in the toilet bowl. If you see any color, your know there is a leak.
- Don't use the toilet as a trash can. Use a wastebasket for tissues and other pieces of trash.
- Install high efficiency, low-flow faucet aerators. An aerator mixes air with water. This is an effective conservation technique because it allows for water conservation without sacrificing the pressure. Without an efficient aerator, you could be using four times as much water. They are easy to install. Simply screw the old faucet head off, place a rubber gasket on top of the new aerator, and screw it onto the faucet.
- Fix leaky faucets immediately. A leaky faucet may simply need a new washer. Leaky faucets can waste a significant amount of water each day.
- Turn off the water while shaving or brushing teeth.
Kitchens - Run only full loads in your dishwasher.
- Use an Energy Star® rated dishwasher.
- Keep drinking water in your refrigerator.
- Before rinsing, put the sink stopper in place instead of running the water. If you need to use the garbage disposal, release the used sink water as the disposal is turned on.
- Don’t defrost food with running water. Using a plugged sink, a microwave, or even a refrigerator can be a more efficient way to defrost food.
Laundry rooms - Select proper water level for laundry load.
- Use an Energy Star® rated washer and dryer.
- Use a front loading washing machine, they typically use 1/3 less water than a top loading machine.
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