Public Utilities Department - Water Conservation

Bathroom Tips

The most substantial reduction in personal water use can be made in the bathroom.

Two-thirds of the water used in the average home is used in the bathroom,
because many people take long showers or flush the toilet unnecessarily.

Water conservation not only saves water, it saves energy used to heat the water.

• Check the toilet for leaks. Put a few drops of food coloring in your toilet tank. If, without flushing, the color begins to appear in the bowl, you know you have a leak that needs to be repaired.

• Don't use the toilet for disposing of cigarette butts or other trash. Use the garbage can. Every flush uses five to seven gallons of water.

• To cut down on water used with each flush, put plastic bottles filled with sand in your toilet tank. Place them safely away from the operating mechanism. (Do not use bricks, which disintegrate after a while and damage the mechanism.)

• When replacing fixtures, install water-conserving models. The price is about the same.

• Install water-saving shower heads or flow restrictors. Your local hardware or plumbing supply stores stock inexpensive water-saving shower heads or restrictors that are easy to install.

• Limit the length of showers to two or three minutes. Consider turning the shower off while you soap up and turn it on again only to rinse.

• Rinse your razor in a few inches of water in the sink, rather than under running water.

• Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth. Use only enough water to wet the brush and rinse your mouth.

• Teach children to turn faucets off tightly after use.

• Check faucets and pipes for leaks. Even a small leak can waste thousands of gallons per month. Keep faucet washers in good shape or use washerless faucets.