Efficient water usage and conservation is important to protecting the community’s water supply, but it can also save your family money. There are many things you can do to help your household save money, including water-saving showerheads, low-flow faucet aerators, and regular maintenance. Actions like these can save a family of four 10,000 to 25,000 gallons of water every year.
Save Water Indoors
BATHROOM – Did you know that bathrooms account for about 75% of indoor water use?
- Test your toilet for leaks by adding a few drops of food coloring to the water in the tank, but do not flush the tank. Wait several minutes, and if the color appears in the bowl, the toilet has a leak that needs to be repaired.
- Water-efficient showerheads are one of the most effective water-saving tips you can take in your home.
- Take shorter showers – A full bathtub can use up to 70 gallons of water whereas a 5-minute shower uses as little as 10 gallons.
- Faucet aerators on sinks are a cost-effective way to save water by doubling its efficiency without sacrificing performance.
LAUNDRY – About 14% of in-home water use occurs from laundry.
- Wash only full loads or adjust the water level on your machine to match your load size.
- If you can, purchase high-efficiency washers that use 35-55% less water and 50% less energy.
KITCHEN – About 8% of home water use takes place in the kitchen.
- Fill a pot or large bowl with water when hand-washing dishes or fruits and vegetables rather than letting the tap run continuously.
- Composting food scraps in a compost bin instead of using the garbage disposal will help save water and enrich garden soil.
- If possible, replace older model dishwashers with high-efficiency models.
A dripping faucet or fixture can waste 3 gallons a day, a total of 1,095 gallons a year. According to the EPA, “the average household’s leaks can account for nearly 10,000 gallons of water wasted every year and ten percent of homes have leaks that waste 90 gallons or more per day.” Click here to learn more about the EPA’s WaterSense Program.
These tips are provided courtesy of the City of Caldwell Utilities Department – Water & Wastewater Services, the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). For more information, please call 979-567-3271 ext. 401.