Easy Ways to Conserve Water in Your Home

A small leak, an occasional drip of water from the kitchen sink–these sources of water waste may not seem like much, but over the course of a year, they can result in the loss of hundreds of gallons of water. To reduce waste and increase savings, you can conserve water using the following tips.

• Find and fix leaks: Obvious leaks should be repaired as soon as possible. You should also take steps to find any hidden leaks that could be causing water loss that isn’t immediately apparent. Telltale signs of hidden water leaks include sudden increases in your water bill, wet areas in your yard that could indicate leaks in an underground pipe, and spots or stains on walls that could be from leaks behind the wall.
• Practice conservation techniques: Be more aware of how you and your family are using water and take steps to reduce that usage. Take more showers than baths and limit the amount of time spent in the shower. Turn off water when it’s not needed, such as while soaping up your hands. After turning on the faucet to get hot water, capture the initial stream of cold water in a pitcher to use as drinking water. Run clothes washers and dishwashers only when you have full loads. Make sure faucets are shut off tightly after each use. Limit lawn watering and car washing.
• Install water-saving fixtures: Replace existing showerheads, toilets, and faucets with low-flow models that limit water flow but still provide plenty of water for the task. Look for WaterSense-certified faucets and other plumbing fixtures to ensure having the most water-efficient fixtures possible.