Water Wasters in Your Home

Appliances

• Unlike your dishwasher, the amount of water your washing machine uses is adjustable; adjust according to load size.
• Look for water saving washing machines and buy them. Horizontal loading machines use less water than top-loading machines.
• Install a hot water recirculation device. By recirculating the water that would otherwise go down the drain, you can save 2-3 gallons of water for each shower taken or 16,500 gallons a year per household. This may mean an average annual savings of $50 on your water bill and $40 on your energy bill.
• Install an air-to-air heat pump or air-conditioning system. Air-to-air models are just as efficient as water-to-air models and do not waste water.
• Install water-softening systems only when necessary. Save water and salt by running the minimum amount of regeneration necessary to maintain water softness. Turn softeners off while on vacation.

Divert From the Drain

• Never put water down the drain when there may be another use for it such as watering a plant or garden, or cleaning.
• Reuse fish tank water on your household plants — it makes nice fertilizer, too.

Maintenance

• Verify that your home is leak free, because many homes have hidden water leaks. Read your water meter before and after a two-hour period when no water is being used. If the meter does not read exactly the same, there is a leak.
• Repair dripping faucets by replacing washers. If your faucet is dripping at the rate of one drop per second, you can expect to waste 2,700 gallons per year.
• Retrofit all wasteful household faucets by installing aerators with flow restrictors.
• Insulate your water pipes. You’ll get hot water faster and avoid wasting water.
• Check your pump. If you have a well at your home, listen to see if the pump turns on and off while the water is not in use. If it does, you have a leak.