Conserve Water

The recent drought has served as a reminder of the importance of conserving water. Putting smart practices to work to minimize water usage not only helps save this natural resource, but can reduce water and sewer bills as well. Toilets account for 26.7 percent; clothes washers, 21.7 percent; showers, 16.8 percent; and faucets, 15.7 percent, with leaks contributing for another 13.7 percent, in household water use, according to Texas Cooperative Extension.

Tips for conserving use of water in the home:

• Check toilet for leaks. Shut off water to the tank and note the water level in the tank. Several hours later, recheck for a lower water level. A leaking toilet can waste 15 gallons of water a day.
• Make sure the toilet flapper does not stick after flushing. The fill line should be about ½ inch below the overflow tube.
• Place a two-liter filled bottle or brick in the toilet tank. This will reduce the amount of water used each flush. Make sure this does not interfere with working parts of the toilet tank. You should only do this in older toilets. Newer low flow toilets already reduce the amount of water used to flush.
• Turn off the water while you brush your teeth, shave, and wash your face or hands. This can save four gallons of water per minute. That adds up to approximately 200 gallons a week for a family of four.
• Keep the length of your shower to less than five minutes.
• Replace less efficient showerhead with a water-efficient showerhead. Approximately 25 to 50 gallons of water can be saved for each 10-minute shower.
• Install low-flow faucet aerators on all household faucets.
• Run the dishwasher only when full.
• Set the water level of the washing machine correctly.
• Buy high-efficiency and low-water-use appliances.
• Repair leaking faucets. A faucet that drips one time per second will waste almost nine gallons per day (over 3,000 gallons per year).
• Run the garbage disposal sparingly.
• Keep a container of drinking water in your refrigerator to avoid wasting water while waiting for cool water from faucet. Running the faucet can use three to seven gallons of water each minute.
• Clean sidewalks, patio, and driveway with a broom rather than water.
• Collect water in a rain barrel.
• Insulate hot water pipes and locate hot water heaters close to the place of use to minimize running water for long periods until it becomes warm. If replacing your water heater, consider installing a hot water on demand system.