Bathroom

Toilet

Check your toilet for leaks

Toilets can waste as much as 200 gallons (or more) of water per day. They also account for the primary source of leaks in a household. 

To check if your toilet has a leak, put a few drops of food coloring in the toilet tank and wait 10 to 15 minutes. If it seeps into the bowl without flushing, there’s a leak. Be sure and rinse the dye out quickly and thoroughly so it won’t stain. Castle Rock Water has non-staining dye tabs for your convenience.

Don’t use the toilet as a wastebasket

Every toilet is flushed an average of six times each day. Each flush can use more than 2 gallons of water. Keep a wastebasket in the bathroom for trash.

Don’t throw flushable wipes in the toilet

Flushable wipes may go down the toilet, but these wipes do not disintegrate like toilet paper and tend to create clogs in the wastewater system. Place flushable wipes in the trashcan instead of the toilet.

Install a low volume toilet

Toilets installed prior to 1994 may use between 3 and 6 gallons of water per flush. Compared to a more modern, high-efficiency toilet that uses less than 1 gallon per flush, replacing old toilets could make a big difference. Check that it is labeled WaterSense.

A family of four can save 14,000 to 25,000 gallons of water a year by replacing their toilet with a more efficient fixture. You may also want to consider buying a dual-flush toilet. It has two flush options, a half flush for liquid waste and a full flush for solid waste.

Use a water bank 

You can reduce the amount of water it takes to fill your toilet tank, by placing a water bank in the tank. Keep in mind, do not use a brick or other items which may erode. Over time, this could affect the internal workings of your toilet.

Let it mellow

The toilet typically accounts for the largest indoor water use in a household. If appropriate, don't flush with every liquid waste.

Avoid using in-tank toilet cleaners or tablets

Cleaning products can erode the tank flapper. Worn-out flappers are the primary cause of a leaky toilet.

Sinks and showers

Sink faucet Check for leaks in faucets and shower heads

One drip every second can add up to 5 gallons per day. Most often, this leak is just a worn gasket, which is inexpensive and easy to replace.

Install low-flow shower heads

If your shower fills a 1-gallon bucket in less than 20 seconds, replace the shower head with a low-flow WaterSense® model. Installation is easy and a WaterSense® model showerhead can easily be found at your local hardware store. A low-flow showerhead could save an estimated 2.5 gallons per shower or 75 gallons a month.

Install aerators in all of your bathroom faucets

Aerators increase the force of water while using half as much water.

Shorten your shower to 5 minutes — or even by a minute or two

A 5-minute shower with a low-flow shower head uses only 12 gallons of water. While a 10-minute shower with an old showerhead can use as much as 40 gallons.

Take fewer baths

Or, only fill the tub half full. A bathtub can use up to 70 gallons of water.

Plug the bathtub when running a bath

Plug the bathtub before turning on the water. Adjust the temperature as the tub fills.

Collect your shower water 

While waiting for the shower to warm up, try collecting the cold water in a bucket to water plants.

Insulate your hot water pipes

This can shorten the wait for hot water, and save energy too.

Turn it off

You can save 4 to 8 gallons of water each day by turning off the tap while lathering your hands, shaving or brushing your teeth. For a shave, plug the sink with a bit of water for rinsing.