- Leaks contribute to higher water bills. A leaky pipe or faucet can waste thousands of gallons of water a year. You can check for unknown leaks by taking time to check your water meter. Read the meter, wait two hours and check the meter again. In the interim do not use any water. If you haven't used any water, and the meter reading differs from the initial reading, you have a leak. If you use well water, check the pump. If you have a leak, the pump will kick on when you are not using water. Fixing leaks will conserve water and cut your water bill.
- You can easily conserve water in the bathroom by adhering to a few simple rules. Take shorter showers. Get your shower time down to five minutes or less. Save additional water by turning off the water while you shampoo your hair. When taking a bath, plug the tub before you turn the water on, instead of letting the water run down the drain until you achieve the perfect temperature. You can easily adjust the temperature by adding quick bursts of hot or cold water. Save five to 10 gallons of water per day by shutting off the water while brushing your teeth. When shaving, fill the sink to rinse your razor instead of turning the faucet on and off.
- Conserve water in the kitchen by waiting to run your dishwasher until it is completely full. Avoid prewash and extra long cycles unless it is absolutely necessary. Garbage disposals also waste a lot of water in the kitchen. Wait to use the garbage the disposal until you are completely finished cooking or cleaning up to avoid using it multiple times. Do not use running water to defrost foods. Instead, use the microwave or place the frozen items in the refrigerator overnight to thaw. When washing many fruits and vegetables for a meal, fill one side of the sink with water and use a brush to remove dirt, instead of using running water.
- Hydrating 1,000 square feet of lawn can use as much as 660 gallons of water. Conserve water by watering your lawn only when it is absolutely necessary. Watering in the early morning is more efficient, as it prevents evaporation. Use a broom to remove dirt and debris from sidewalks and driveways as opposed to power washing. Collecting rainwater in buckets or water from your gutters can help you conserve water for hydrating your plants and garden. If you must wash your vehicle, use a bucket with soapy water and use the hose only when it is time to rinse your car.
Fixing Leaks
In the Bathroom
In the Kitchen
Outdoors
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