Indoor Water Conservation

Did you know that the average person uses around 75 gallons of water per day? That is close to 350 gallons a day per family of four. This is the water we use to drink, cook, clean and shower with. The chart above shows how a typical household uses water indoors.

There are many things you can do to reduce your indoor water usage by up to 50%. This can include fixing leaky plumbing and installing new low flow fixtures. The following tips and ideas can help your family use water more efficiently in your home.

In the Bathroom

• Check the tub spout and shower head for dripping water and replace the washer if needed.
• Taking a shallow bath instead of a shower can save 15-20 gallons per day.
• Save shower water used while waiting for the water to warm in a bucket to use on house plants.
• Check for a toilet leak by dropping a little food coloring in the tank. If color appears in the bowl after about 10 minutes, you have a leak.
• Replace your old toilet with a WaterSense toilet.
• Turn off the water while you brush your teeth.
• Rinse razors with a short blast of water or by swishing it in a partially filled sink.
• Use a waterless hand cleaner when washing greasy hands and don't let the water run.

In the Kitchen

• Keep a bottle or pitcher of cold water in the refrigerator for drinking instead of running the faucet.
• Defrost frozen food without running water over packages.
• Rinse vegetables in a filled sink instead of running water.
• Use the garbage disposal less and the trash more.
• Wash dishes with the least amount of detergent possible to minimize rinsing.
• Look for standing water on the floor near the dishwasher that would indicate a leak.
• Look for a leaky ice-making unit in refrigerators. This can cause excessive accumulations of ice in the freezer and puddles of water under the refrigerator.

Other Places

• Run only full loads in the washing machine and dishwasher.
• Look for leaks at the hot water tank, boiler, or any other appliance hooked up to water.