How can I reduce my water bill?

Using water wisely will help to reduce your water bill and ensure clean fresh water is abundant for generations to come.

1. Leaks can account for 10% or more of your water bill, so it’s important to identify and resolve them.

Leaks waste both water and energy, increasing your water bill and putting undue stress on the environment. A few drips may not seem like much, but when added up over a period of time, the impact can be fairly substantial.

A toilet with a silent leak of one cup of water a minute – a mere dribble – wastes about 2,700 gallons of water a month. That’s water AND dollars down the drain, so fix those leaks!

• Learn more about identifying leaks in your home.
• Find out how much water YOUR leaky faucet is wasting.

2. Inspect your home for other places to reduce water consumption.

About 75% of water used in the home is used in the bathroom.

• Bathing: Take a shower instead of a bath to save water. A short shower uses less water than a long one. A low-flow showerhead will save as much as 50% of the amount of water currently used, while still providing a refreshing, cleansing shower. Installing a low-flow showerhead is the single most effective conservation step that can be taken inside the home.
• Toilet: Standard toilets manufactured prior to the 1980s usually require 5-7 gallons per flush. Toilets sold during the ‘80s and early ‘90s use 3.5 gallons per flush. The greatest savings come from replacing your toilet with a 1.6 gallon model. Since 1992 in Texas and 1994 nationally, new toilets must use 1.6 gallons or less per flush. Do not use a brick in your toilet tank. The brick will crumble and can damage the fixture.
• Lavatory: Change your habits! Don’t let the water run continuously while brushing your teeth, shaving or washing your hands. Additionally, a low-flow faucet aerator can save up to 50% of the water currently used in the lavatory.

About 14% of water used in the home is used in the laundry room.

• Conserve water in the laundry room by only washing full loads.
• Adjust the water level to match the size of your loads.

About 8% of water used in the home is used in the kitchen.

• Sink: Fill the basin or a dish pan to rinse dishes instead of using running water, and when washing fruits and vegetables. Soak pots and pans before washing. Operate the garbage disposal only when necessary.
• Drinking water: Keep a pitcher of water in the fridge rather than running tap water until it is cold enough to drink.
• Dishwasher: Only wash full loads. When you need to buy a new machine, take a look at the water saving models. Newer models can cut water use by 25% and generally are no more expensive than non-conserving models.