Indoor Water Conservation Tips

Check all faucets, pipes, and toilets periodically for leaks

A faucet drip or invisible leak in the toilet will add up to 15 gallons of water a day, or 105 gallons a week, which adds up to 5,475 gallons of wasted water a year. Check your flapper periodically to make sure it's a tight fit.

Install water saving shower heads

Low-flow showerheads deliver 2.5 gallons of water per minute or less and are relatively inexpensive. Older showerheads use 5 to 7 gallons per minute.

Take shorter showers or take a bath

Simply taking shorter showers will save gallons of water. For long exposures to the water, a partially filled bath instead of a shower will use less water.

Install a 1.6 gallon low-flow toilet

Ultra-low flow toilets use only 1.6 gallons of water per flush. Using these could cut indoor water use by as much as 20 percent. Older toilets use 3.5 to 7 gallons per flush.

Check for toilet leaks

Once a year, check for toilet leaks. Remove the toilet tank cover and drip 10 drops of food coloring into the tank. After 15 minutes, check for color in the toilet bowl. If you see any color, your toilet has a leak and should be repaired immediately. Again, remember to check your flapper periodically to make sure it's a tight fit.

Don't use the toilet as a wastebasket

Using a wastebasket instead of the toilet for tissues and other bits of trash will save gallons of water that are otherwise wasted.

Install high efficiency, low-flow faucet aerators

Older faucets use between 3 and 7 gallons per minute. Low-flow faucet aerators use no more than 1.5 gallons of water per minute. The aerators can be attached to most existing faucets.

Fix leaky faucets immediately

A leaky faucet may simply need a new washer. Small faucet leaks can waste 20 gallons of water a day. Large leaks can waste hundreds of gallons.

Turn off the water while shaving, brushing teeth, etc.

Don't let the water run when you brush your teeth, wash your face or hands, or shave. This can save 3 to 7 gallons per minute.