Saving Water Indoors

How to Save Water Indoors

Toilet Talk

Toilets can be the main source of water usage in your home, accounting for 23 percent or more of a family’s indoor water consumption. Older model toilets can use up to six gallons of water per flush. 

By replacing these with newer more efficient units that use as little as 1.3 gallons per flush, the average family can save up to 13,000 gallons of water every year. 

You can also save water by checking your toilets for leaks. Just place a few drops of water based food coloring in your toilet tank. Wait 15 minutes and then check the bowl for the color. Remember not to flush during the test. If you see color in the bowl, then the tank seal is leaking and needs to be replaced. If you find that your toilet is running when you haven’t used it or taking a long time to fill up, then you may need to look at have the parts and seals inside replaced. Also avoid using your toilet as a trash can. 

Throw tissues, wipes, wrappers, and sanitary items in the trash can instead of the toilet. These items can cause blockages in your pipes that can be very expensive to fix.

Bathing Talk

Showers, baths, and sinks account for the 50% of your indoor water usage. 

Faucets: Switch out shower heads and bathroom faucets for those the have the EPA’s Water Sense label. These units reduce the flow of water, which saves you money. Reduce your shower time. Cutting showers down to five minutes can save up to 11 gallons of water per shower. This also reduces electricity/gas cost as you are reducing hot water usage.

Hot water: If you wait for the water to get hot before a shower or bath, don’t walk away and get distracted. This can waste hundreds of gallons of water a year that you are paying for.

Bath levels: For every inch of depth in the bath tub, you are using 5 gallons of water. Reducing the water level by a couple of inches can save lots of money over time.

Running Water: Shut off the water while your brush your teeth, shave, or wash your face. If you need water to rinse your razor or face, then partially fill the bowl.

Clothing Talk

Washing clothes in the machine accounts for up to 19 percent of all indoor water usage. A traditional washing machine can use up to 55 gallons of water per load. You can reduce this by always washing a full load of clothes, or by selecting a smaller load setting on your unit. When its time replace any water using appliance in your house, look for Energy Star® high-efficiency appliances as they save water and lower energy costs. 

Kitchen Talk

• Always wash full loads in the dishwasher. Dishwashers use approximately 15 gallons of water per load. Do you really want to use that much water to wash a handful of dishes? Just wait until you fill it up, or wash by hand.
• When washing dishes by hand, plug the drains. You can wash in a sink of soapy water and then rinse in a sink of clean water. 
• Don’t let water run while scraping and wiping dishes into the trash. Also don’t rinse under running water this puts a lot of water down the drain that you aren’t really using.
• Clean fruits and vegetables in a tub of water, rather than leaving it running. This water can then do double duty and give your plants a drink
• Don’t ignore drips. Fix drips and leaks as soon as you find them. Some drips and leaks can be repaired by replacing worn out washers. Ask folks at the hardware store for help on leaks and repairs.