Indoor Water Conservation
Checklist
EASY FIRST STEPS…
Waste not!
Never pour water down the drain when there may be another use for it
such as watering a plant or garden, or for cleaning.
Lose the leaks! Verify that your home
is leak free. Many homes have hidden water leaks. Read your water meter
before and after a two-hour period when no water is being used. If the meter
does not read exactly the same, there is a leak.
…IN
THE BATHROOM..
Don’t trashcan the toilet! Dispose of tissues, insects and other
similar waste in the trash rather than the toilet.
Check for toilet tank leaks by adding
three drops of food coloring or a dye tablet to the tank. If the toilet is
leaking, color will appear in the toilet bowl within 30 minutes. Check the
toilet for worn out, corroded or bent parts. Most replacement parts are
inexpensive, readily available and easily installed. (Flush as soon as the test
is complete, since food coloring may stain the tank.)
If the toilet handle frequently sticks in
the flush position letting water run constantly, replace or adjust it.
Install a toilet dam or displacement
device such as a bag or bottle to cut down on the amount of water needed for
each flush. Be sure installation does not interfere with the operating
parts. When purchasing new or replacement toilets, consider low-volume
units which use less than half the water of older models. 
In
many areas, low-volume units are required by law.
Take shorter showers.
In the shower, turn the water on to get
wet; turn it off to lather up; then turn it back on to rinse off. Repeat this
procedure when washing your hair.
Replace your showerhead with an
ultra-low-flow version. Some units are available that allow you to cut off the
flow without adjusting the water temperature knobs.
Place a bucket in the shower to
catch excess water and use this to water plants. The same technique can be used
when washing dishes or vegetables in the sink.
Don't let water run while shaving, washing
your face or brushing your teeth.
…IN
THE KITCHEN…
Load ‘em up!
Operate automatic dishwashers and clothes washers only when they are fully
loaded. Set the water level for the size of load you are using.
When washing dishes by hand, fill one sink or basin
with soapy water. Quickly rinse under a slow-moving stream from the faucet.
Chill out!
Store drinking water in the refrigerator. Don't let the tap run while
you are waiting for cool water to flow.
Don’t use running water to thaw meat or
other frozen foods. Defrost food overnight in the refrigerator or use the
defrost setting on your microwave.
Start a compost pile as an alternate
method of disposing of food waste, instead of using a garbage disposal. Kitchen
sink disposals require lots of water to operate properly. Garbage
disposals also can add 50 percent to the volume of solids in a septic tank,
which can lead to malfunctions and maintenance problems.
Consider installing an instant water heater on
your kitchen sink so you don't have to let the water run while it heats up.
This will reduce water-heating costs for your household.
…’ROUND
THE HOUSE…
Clip the drips! Repair dripping faucets by replacing washers. If your
faucet is dripping at a rate of one drop per second, you can expect to waste
2,700 gallons per year. This adds to the cost of water and sewer utilities, or
can strain your septic system.
Retrofit all household faucets by
installing aerators with flow restrictors.
Insulate your water pipes. You'll get hot
water faster and avoid wasting water while it heats up.
Never install a water-to-air heat pump or
air-conditioning system. Newer air-to-air models are just as efficient and do
not waste water.
Water softening systems should be installed only
when necessary. Save water and salt by running the minimum amount of
regenerations necessary to maintain water softness. Turn softeners off while on
vacation.
If you have a well at home, check your pump
periodically. Listen to hear if the pump kicks on and off while water is not
being used. If it does, you have a leak.
