Things You Can do to Conserve Water and Reduce Your Bill

Evaluate the following areas to determine if water use can be reduced

Install low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators. These low cost and convenient devices can cut
your water consumption in half. Newer models deliver a full spray using less than three gallons per
minute (GPM). Choose showerheads with flows rated at 2.5 GPM and faucet aerators rated at 2.2 GPM.
Check with your local plumber and/or hardware dealer.
Use less water! Showers can use less water than baths.
Limit showers to 5 minutes – you’ll reduce water usage to 20-25 gallons.
Keep bath water levels below three inches.

Throw tissues or other small items in trash. Older toilets use up to 7 gallons per flush. Newer 1.6
gallons.
Insert a displacement device into your toilet tank and save up to a gallon or more per flush.
Avoid bricks because they dissolve.
Check for leaks by placing dye tablets or several drops of food coloring into the tank. Wait for 10-15
minutes, then check toilet bowl. If any color appears, you have a leak. Check for corrosion or deposits
on flapper valve. Use steel wool to remove build up so the stopper sets properly. May need new flapper
valve.

Don’t leave the water running while shaving.
Fix leaky faucets. Thirty drips a minute of hot water wastes 50 gallons of water every month.
Install water-saving faucet aerators on sinks you use most.

Run full loads. Running the washer with a full load saves not only the washing water, but also
rinsing and re-rinsing.
Sort clothes into loads needing the same wash cycle.
If you must wash a small load, reduce the water level setting.

Run full loads for maximum efficiency.
Scrape excess food from your dishes before putting them in the dishwasher. This prevents debris
from entering the dishwasher pump, which impacts dishwasher efficiency.
Check the filter screen over the drain in your dishwasher regularly. Remove any food particles.

In the spring close drain valves to sprinkler system.
Replace broken sprinkler heads.
Adjust sprinklers to eliminate run-off.
Check and repair drip system emitters, end caps, etc.
Check and reset sprinkler system clock.
Sloped yards require shorter run times and more cycles throughout your watering day. This eliminates run-off or waste.
Soil with a high content of clay also requires shorter run times and more cycles through out your watering day.
Water early morning or late evening when evaporation is at its lowest.
Sweep driveways, decks, and sidewalks first; then determine if rinsing is needed.
In the fall drain valves must be opened to drain system; water remaining in the pipes could freeze causing the pipes to break.

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