Water is a precious commodity and can be economical for every household. Finding and fixing leaks can save homeowners more than 10% on water bills and thousands of gallons of water per year. Below are some water-saving tips for all consumers:
- -Avoid running water for cold drinks, thawing foods, rinsing dishes, while brushing your teeth, shaving, washing your face, and while preparing fruits and vegetables.
- Run appliances only when you have a full load – or – adjust the capacity to save energy and water.
- A bathtub filled half full holds around 50 gallons of water. Consider showering instead.
- An unrestricted showerhead runs at five to ten gallons a minute!
- Run yearly maintenance on the humidifier that is mounted on your furnace. These may become calcified and stick – sending a continuous overflow of water directly down the drain.
- Shut off all outside spigots when you are going to be away from your property. Drain these lines to prevent freezing in winter.
- Regular maintenance on toilets can prevent huge costs in water. Test for toilet leaks by dropping dye or food coloring into the toilet tank. Do not flush. Lift the lid and seat and observe the bowl. If any color comes into the toilet bowl within 5 to 15 minutes, that is a leaking toilet. Toilet dye packets are free and available at the utility office.
- Instructions for running an overnight audit of consumption are available at the utility office, also. Through process of elimination, you will be able to determine exactly where a water leak is located, saving money on the leak as well as plumbing expenses.