Tips for Saving Water?

**mikandmari** · 12-27-2007, 12:24 AM

I just posted about my daily water usage

. I'd like to try to conserve, since it will save on both my quarterly public water bill and my annual sewer bill.

Any tips are appreciated

Thanks!

**acidcookie** · 12-27-2007, 02:34 AM

It's always tough to know what seems obvious (don't let the water run while brushing teeth, shorter showers, less/no baths) and what hasn't been thought of.

Here are lots of tips for various areas of the house:
http://www.greenhouse.gov.au/yourhom...nical/fs21.htm

**imforpeace** · 12-27-2007, 10:39 AM

We put water aerators on all of our faucets. It slows the water down a bit. The one for the kitchen sink has a switch to stop the water for a moment so it's not running down the drain and you don't have to keep turning it on and off to wash dishes. The one for the bath makes a loud screeching sound if it is turned up to high. I recommend that you don't get the water saving shower head, though. It feels like someone is stabbing you in the back! {ouch} Look for a shower head that has less holes instead.

Also, if you own your home, use more landscaping materials than grass for plants. You will have less to take care of as well as less to water.

These things cut our water bill in half. Good luck.

**Momto2Boyz** · 12-27-2007, 11:25 AM

We have tried to cut our water bill before and have had trouble. I think we do a pretty good job conserving water, already so I can't get it down much! My Dad worked for the EPA water division for 30 years before he retired, so as a kid...I had it drilled into me to conserve water!

Here are some of the things we do or don't do around here:
1. No lawn watering (even if it turns brown...it'll grow back & green up with the next rain)
2. We have a water conserving shower head.
3. Take a 1/2 gallon milk jug (if it will fit in your toilet tank). Fill it with water, then put it into the toilet tank. It will save you 1/2 gallon of water every time you flush...which adds up throughout the year.
4. Hand wash dishes. If you have a double basin sink, fill up both sides. One with soapy water & one with clear water. Wash & rinse with these instead of continously running the water, it'll save you quite a bit of water and your dishes are rinsed just as well as using running water.
5. Only run full large loads of dishes, if you use a dish washer & washing machine.

There are lots more, but those are the simple ones that come to mind! I believe the EPA has a site with tips. I'll have to see if I can find it! Here is the site, hope it helps! I didn't know about the food coloring and leaky toilet tip...I'll have to try that!
http://www.epa.gov/region01/eco/drin...residents.html