There are several simple steps that you can take to save water inside your home. Fixing leaks & updating plumbing fixtures could save thousands of gallons of water each year.

Finding & fixing leaks

• Start by checking your water meter.
• Avoid using water for one hour, then check your meter.
• Recheck it after that hour. If the reading is different after an hour, then you have a leak.
• If you have a well, listen for the pump to turn on & off while the water is not in use. If it does, then you've got a leak.

Check fixtures

Toilets

• Drop a dye tab (contact us for a free sample of dye tabs) or a few drops of food coloring into the tank.
• Wait about 15 minutes. If dye appears in the bowl, then you have a leak.
• You can also listen to the sound of running water.

View do-it-yourself instructions for fixing toilet leaks.

Faucets

• Check the base of the faucet.
• Check the faucet head for leaks.
• Replace leaky faucets by replacing washers & tightening connections.

View do-it-yourself instructions for fixing faucet leaks.

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

Water-efficient plumbing fixtures

Retrofitting your bathrooms & kitchen with water saving fixtures can conserve a lot of water. If your house was built after 1994, you should already have many low flow fixtures.

Toilets

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 and still has the original toilets, you may be eligible to receive money for upgrading your toilets. View information about our toilet rebate program.

Showerheads

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

Faucets

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.

Appliances

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.

Dishwashers can use 11 gallons per load. Water efficient models can use 6.5 gallons or less. Compact dishwashers use about 4 gallons per cycle.

To save water, operate washing machines & dishwashers only when you have a full load.

Additional ways to save water indoors

• Insulate your water pipes.
• Install an on-demand water heater. You won't have to let the water run while it heats up.
• Don't use running water to thaw frozen foods. Defrost food overnight in the refrigerator or use the defrost setting in your microwave.
• Turn off the faucet when you brush your teeth.
• If you're waiting for the water to heat up, place a bucket under the tap & use this water for watering plants or cleaning.
• If you wash 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.