Faucets
Check the base of the faucet for seepage & around the faucet head for leaks. You can repair leaky faucets by replacing washers & tightening connections.

Contact a local plumber for assistance with leaks & maintenance of your fixtures.

Meters
Take a meter reading when no water is being used & again after an hour. If the reading is different after an hour of no use, then you have a leak.

Private wells
Listen at the pump. If the pump turns on & off while the water is not in use, you've got a leak.

Sprinkler systems
Periodically check for moist spots in your yard. This could mean there is a leak within the sprinkler system or in your main service line.

Contact a plumber or landscape maintenance professional for repairs.

Toilets
Drop a dye tab*or a few drops of food coloring into the tank & wait about 15 minutes. If there is dye in the bowl, then you have a leak.
*contact us for a free sample of dye tabs

Modern toilets use 1.6 gallons per flush or less. Older models use 3.5 gallons per flush or more. If your home or business was built prior to 1995 & still has the original toilet(s), you may be eligible to receive money for upgrading your toilets. Learn about our toilet rebate program here.

Older models can deliver as much as 8 gallons per minute. Most new showerheads deliver 2.5 gallons per minute. Higher efficiency models can deliver 2 gallons per minute or less.  The pressure on newer showerheads has been adjusted to deliver the same quality without the waste.

Installing an aerator on bathroom & kitchen faucets is another cost-effective way to save water. An aerator is a device you screw onto the spout that mixes air into the water stream.

If you already have an aerator, there will be a marking on the side that notes the gallons per minute (GPM). Many faucets are rated around 2.5 GPM. A low-flow aerator can reduce flow to 1.5 gallons per minute or less.

Older washing machines can use up to 40 gallons per load. Updating to a water-efficient model can save 20 gallons per load. Top-loading washers can use 18-25 gallons while front loaders use 15-25 gallons.

Water your lawn only if it needs it.

A good soaking from a rainstorm will keep the soil moist for up to two weeks. It is time to water when the grass begins to look stressed. You can tell if your lawn is stressed if tire tracks or footprints remain on it for long periods of time, if the grass turns bluish-grey, if the blades are folded in half lengthwise, or if the soil near the roots is dry.

Don't overwater. Too much watering can actually promote the growth of weeds & fungus. Water no more than 3/4" each time. This is enough to saturate the roots & promote healthy growth. Dry soil at the surface is normal.

Before 10 a.m. & after 6 p.m. the temperature & wind speeds tend to be lowest, meaning less water will be lost to evaporation.

For more in-depth information from our local water management districts & associated ordinances:

• St. Johns River Water Management District
• Southwest Florida Water Management District
• Marion County water conservation & landscape irrigation ordinance

Native Florida plants are adapted to the state's climate. They can tolerate periods of drought & heavy rain better than non-native species. Check out the Florida Yards & Neighborhoods' environmentally friendly yard tips.

• Insulate your water pipes.
• While waiting for hot water, place a bucket under the tap & use this water for other household uses such as watering plants or cleaning.
• Install an on-demand water heater, to prevent excessive water usage caused by waiting for hot water.
• Don't use running water to thaw frozen foods. Defrost food overnight in the refrigerator or use the defrost setting on your microwave.
• Turn off the faucet while brushing your teeth.
• If washing dishes by hand, fill the sink or a bucket with soapy water instead of
  letting the tap run.
• Take shorter showers. Try using a timer to train yourself to take 5-7 minute showers. You can save about 15 gallons of water by reducing a shower from 15 to 7 minutes.
• Use a broom instead of the hose to remove leaves from your sidewalks and driveway.
• If you have a pool or spa, cover it when it is not in use to reduce evaporation. You can also research water saving pool filters.
• Install a rain barrel to collect rainwater. This water can be used for irrigation or other
  outdoor needs. Find out more from Marion County UF/IFAS Extension
  Service.
• Put a spray nozzle on your hose so you can stop the stream of water instead of
  letting it run. To avoid leaks, make sure you turn the water off from the spigot & not just the nozzle.
• Wash your car efficiently by turning the nozzle off when the hose isn't in use, or seek
  out carwashes that recycle their water.