Here are 10 ways to help you start saving water indoors today:
- Check your toilet for leaks at least once per year. Toilet leaks are very common and can waste hundreds to thousands of gallons of water a month. Follow these five easy steps to check your toilet for leaks in just 20 minutes.
- Save water where you use the most: in the bathroom. WaterSense products must use at least 20% less water and work as well or better than standard fixtures/conventional products. Ask your water provider if they offer free conservation devices or rebates.
- Install water-efficient aerators on your home faucets. An aerator saves water by reducing the water flow from the faucet and using air to maintain good water pressure. They cost about five dollars and often take less than a minute to install. Many water providers give away water-efficient aerators to their customers for free!
- Save water and energy when you shower. WaterSense showerheads use at least 20% less water each time you shower. You can also save up to 75 gallons a month by shortening your daily shower time by just one minute. Using less water means you’ll use less energy too.
- Let your dishwasher do the work. Running the faucet for 4 minutes can use the same amount of water that many dishwashers use each time they run! Save more water by scraping food off your dishes instead of rinsing.
- Check your home for water leaks at least once per year. Even small leaks can waste up to hundreds to thousands of gallons of water each month. Find out where to look for leaks and how to use your water bill and meter to look for higher-than-normal water use.
- Get kids involved! Saving water is for everyone in your family, and sharing water-saving habits with your kids is a great way to teach them the value of water. Start with this Junior Leak Detective activity or these resources for kids of all ages.
- Wash only full loads. Use your clothes washer and dishwasher only when they’re full to save water and energy each time they run. For many machines, a full load and partial load use the same amount of water.
- Regular maintenance will help keep your home in tip-top shape, but sometimes leaks still happen! Teach everyone in your household how to turn your home’s water off to stop flooding from broken pipes and prevent further damage.
- Look for ways to reduce and reuse water at home. Small individual steps can make a big collective impact. Here are some ideas to get you started:
- compost food scraps instead of using a garbage disposal
- use a bucket to collect the cold water while you’re waiting for the shower to warm up and use it to water plants or fill your pet’s water dish
- use one beverage glass all day
- reuse non-soapy rinse water from doing dishes, water from cooking pasta, or leftover from your pet’s water bowl to water outdoor plants