 Simple
Steps to Save Water
Saving water around the home is simple and smart. The average household
spends as much as $500 per year on its water and sewer bill, but
could save about $170 per year by retrofitting with water-efficient
fixtures and incorporating water-saving practices.
Let WaterSense show you how to save water—and your
wallet. How much money you save will depend on the cost
of water where you live, but it makes sense that using less water
lowers your utility bill. More importantly, using less water preserves
this limited resource for generations to come.
Inside the Home
| Toilets are the single largest water user in a home.
A leaky toilet can waste 200 gallons of water per day, and it
is estimated that nearly 20 percent of all toilets leak.
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Get Flush With Savings
- Consider replacing your older toilet with a WaterSense labeled
high-efficiency model that uses 20 percent less water and performs
as well as or better than standard models. Compared to a 3.5 gallons
per flush toilet, a WaterSense labeled toilet could save a family
of four more than $90 annually on their water bill, and $2,000
over the lifetime of the toilet.
- Check for toilet leaks by adding food coloring to the tank.
If the toilet is leaking, color will appear in the bowl within
15 minutes. (Make sure to flush as soon as the test is done, since
food coloring may stain the tank.)
Accessorize Your Faucet
- Installing a simple aerator is one of the most cost-effective
ways to save water—you can double the faucet's efficiency
without sacrificing performance. For best results, purchase an
aerator with the WaterSense label later in 2008.
- Repair dripping faucets and showerheads. A drip rate of one
drip per second can waste more than 3,000 gallons per year.
Clean Up With Savings
- A full bathtub can require up to 70 gallons water, while taking
a 5-minute shower uses only 10 to 25 gallons.
- Savings from turning off the tap while you brush your teeth
or shave can really add up.
Lighten Your Loads
- Wash only full loads of dishes and clothes or lower the water
settings for smaller loads.
- Replace your old washing machine with a high-efficiency, ENERGY
STAR® labeled model, which uses up to 50 percent less water
and electricity.
Outside the Home
| The average single-family suburban home uses at least
30 percent of its water for outdoor irrigation and as much as
70 percent in dry climates. Some experts estimate that more
than 50 percent of landscape water is wasted due to evaporation,
wind, or overwatering. |
Water When Needed
- Water your lawn or garden during the cool morning hours to reduce
evaporation.
- Look for sprinklers that produce droplets—not mist—or
use soaker hoses or trickle irrigation for trees and shrubs.
- Set sprinklers to water lawns and gardens only—check that
you're not watering the street or sidewalk.
- Try not to overwater your landscaping—learn plants' water
needs and water different types appropriately.
Grow Green Grass
- Don't overfertilize. You will increase the grass's need for
water.
- Raise your lawn mower blade to at least 3 inches. Taller grass
promotes deeper roots, shades the root system, and holds soil
moisture better than a closely cropped lawn.
Garden With Care
- Plant climate-appropriate species. Try native plants, which
don't require as much water, and group plants together by water
requirements.
- Use mulch around trees and plants to help reduce evaporation
and control water-stealing weeds.
This document is also available in PDF
(2 pp, 138K, About PDF).
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