Water Saving Tips

Regularly check for and repair water leaks. Even a small leak can waste hundreds of gallons a month.

Always turn off taps firmly so they don't drip. A leaky faucet that drips at the rate of 1 drip per second can waste more than 3000 gallons a year. A dripping showerhead at 10 drips per minute can waste more than 500 gallons a year.

Check your toilet for leaks. Remove toilet tank lid. Put 10 drops of food coloring into tank. Replace lid, do not flush. Wait 20 minutes. Check toilet bowl. If you see colored water, you have a leak.

If possible, replace your old toilet with a higher efficiency one. Some older models can use up to 5 gallons per flush.

Use your trash can for things like cigarette butts, tissues and flushable and non-flushable wipes. Remember each flush can waste up to 5 gallons per flush.

Insulate your pipes. You'll get hot water faster and save money too.

Don't let the water run continuously while shaving or brushing your teeth.

Take a shower instead of a bath. A full bath can use around 40 gallons while a 10 minute shower uses about half that.

Take shorter showers. Shortening your shower by just a minute or two can save up to 150 gallons a month. Switching to a water saving showerhead can save even more.

A typical bathtub holds between 25 - 45 gallons. You can save water by only filling the tub with as much water as you actually need.

Scrape your dishes instead of pre-rinsing them. Rinsing can waste 2 - 5 gallons a minute.

If you have a dishwasher, wash only full loads.

When hand washing, wash dishes in a partially filled sink and only turn on the faucet when rinsing.

Every gallon of water you save also saves on your sewer bill.