Indoor Conservation Tips

Bathroom

About 75 percent of indoor water use is in the bathroom.  We all know that we can save about two gallons of water by turning off the water while brushing our teeth, but check out some other water wise tips that include retrofitting.

• Install a low-flow shower head that limits the flow to less than three gallons per minute. This can reduce water use in the shower by up to 50 percent and is the single most effective conservation step.
• Taking a shower instead of a bath will usually save water. Limiting showering time will also help. A 10-minute shower with a conventional shower head uses about 55 gallons of water. If you take baths rather than showers, don't fill the tub to the top. Reduce the water level by one or two inches from what you have been using.
• If you have a toilet manufactured prior to the 1980's, it probably uses 5 to 7 gallons per flush without a displacement device. Putting a displacement device in your toilet tank can save up to 20 percent of the water being used. Place two one-quart plastic bottles weighted with stones and filled with water into the toilet tank. This reduces the amount of water in the tank and still leaves enough for flushing. Do not use bricks because they crumble and can cause damage to the fixture. Displacement devices do not work as well in newer toilets that use 3.5 gallons or less per flush.
• Pool water in the sink for shaving instead of letting the water run.
• Install faucet aerators to cut water consumption.

Leaks

Studies have shown that dripping and leaking faucets and toilets account for as much as 14 percent of indoor water use. A slowly leaking faucet can use up to 170 gallons of water each day. What can you do?

• Check all water connections for leaks. To check for toilet leaks, put a few drops of dye in the tank. Your fixture needs adjustment or repair if the dye appears in the bowl after about 15 minutes. Leaky toilets can usually be repaired inexpensively by replacing the flapper.
• Check for leaks in the underground pipe by turning off all faucets. Then look at your water meter. If it's running, you probably have a leak.
• Does your sink, bathtub or kitchen faucet have a slow drip?  Replacing the valve or the rubber O-ring can usually repair these. 

Kitchen

Eleven percent of indoor water use is in the kitchen. When washing or cleaning fruit and vegetables, fill the sink with water and rinse, rather than allowing water to run.

Laundry

14 percent of indoor water use is contributed to laundry. An average washing machine uses 32 to 59 gallons per cycle. When doing laundry, wash only when you have a full load. 

• When replacing washing machines or dryers, opt for energy-conserving models which will yield both water and energy savings.

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