Indoor

WATER conservation

Water Conservation

Starts At Home

In an era of growing water scarcity, it’s crucial to take proactive measures to conserve water.  By implementing a few simple changes, you can help preserve this vital resource for future generations.

Water Saving

In The Kitchen

Skip the drip - fill the sink

When washing dishes by hand, fill one sink halfway with soapy water. Fill the other sink halfway with clean rinse water.

Only Run A Full Dishwasher

Run the dishwasher only when it is full and avoid the high electric rate times of 4 –7 PM.

Store Water In the Fridge

Store drinking water in the refrigerator instead of letting the tap run while you’re waiting for cool water to flow.

Start Collecting Food Scraps

Kitchen sink garbage disposals require a lot of water to operate correctly. Disposals can add up to 50 percent to the volume of solids in the sewer system or lead to problems with septic systems. Scrape your dishes into the garbage can, or start a compost pile as an alternate method of disposing of food waste, instead of using a garbage disposal.

Reduce Water

In The Bathroom

Nearly 75% of water used indoors is in the bathroom.
Baths, showers, and toilet flushing account for most of this. 

Turn Off The Tap

Don’t let the water run while brushing your teeth, washing your face, or shaving.

Make Simple Repairs

Repair dripping faucets by replacing washers. If your faucet is dripping at a rate of only one drop per second, you can expect to waste 2,700 gallons of water per year.

Turn On The Tunes

Try to time the length of your shower to your favorite song!

Additional Tips For the Bathroom

THE TOILET

  • Check your toilet periodically for leaks. Place a few drops of food coloring in the tank. If you have a leak, color will appear in the toilet bowl within 30 minutes. This indicates the flapper needs to be replaced.
  • If your toilet makes a gurgling sound, adjust, or replace your flush valve.
  • A kink in a flapper chain may prevent the flapper from closing properly, causing the toilet to run. An easy way to prevent this is to thread the chain through a short piece of a plastic straw. The chain can’t turn back on itself and kink.
  • Fill a one-quart plastic bottle with water and place it in the toilet tank. To anchor the bottle, fill it partially with sand or any heavy substance. This does not affect the efficiency of most toilets and can save five or more gallons a day for a family of four.
  • Don’t use the toilet as a wastebasket.

THE SHOWER & BATH

  • Low-flow showerheads reduce the gallons of water used per minute. Install a low-flow showerhead, or a flow restrictor. Flow restrictors reduce or stop the flow of water when it is not needed. 
  • Keep a bucket in the shower to catch the cold water before it heats up. Use this water for plants or to flush a toilet.
  • For those times when taking a bath is necessary, only use enough water to cover your navel. Put the plug in and turn on the hot water. Let it run until the water gets hot, then add cold water to adjust the temperature.

    Limit Water Use

    House Wide

    Optimize Your Washer

    Consider purchasing a front-load washing machine when replacing your current machine. You’ll save water and energy. Refer to the list of washing machines that meet the Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE) requirements and receive a rebate on your City utility bill. → Browse CEE Washing Machine List (PDF)

    Save Chores For the Weekend

    If possible, operate your washing machine only when full, or set water level for the size load you are washing. You can save money by doing this chore on the weekends.

    Get Paid For An Upgrade

    Swap Out Your Washer

    Model must be on this list at time of purchase to qualify for the $200 rebate for city sewer customers or $250 for city septic system customers.

    Skip The Dryer

    Hang Clothes To Dry

    Save Energy & Water

    Using a dryer to dry your clothes can consume a lot of energy. Power plants require vast amounts of water to generate steam to drive turbines, cool their equipment, and carry away waste heat. By reducing your energy usage, you can help to reduce the amount of water that is required to generate the electricity you use.

    an Energy saving habit

    Reducing your energy usage can help to promote conservation of all resources, including water. By adopting energy-saving habits such as turning off lights when they are not needed, adjusting the thermostat, and using energy-efficient appliances, you can help to reduce your overall environmental impact and promote sustainable use of resources.

    Do Your Part

    Be WaterSmart

    Curious if your water conservation efforts pay off? View your eligibility for incentives and rebates below.