Water Saving Tips for the Indoors

Source: Florida Department of Environmental Protection

Parts of Florida are currently experiencing drought conditions. Aside from following the guidelines of your Water Management district, here are several tips you use to save water in your home:

1. Never pour water down the drain when there may be another use for it. Use it to water your indoor plants or garden.
2. Make sure your home is leak-free. Check your water meter when you are certain that no water is being used. If the meter reading changes, you have a leak!
3. Repair dripping faucets by replacing washers. One drop per second wastes 2,700 gallons of water per year!
4. Retrofit all household faucets by installing aerators with flow restrictors.
5. Check for toilet leaks by adding food coloring to the tank. If you have a leak, the color will appear in the bowl within 30 minutes. (Flush immediately to avoid stains.)
6. If the toilet handle frequently sticks in the flush position, letting water run constantly, replace or adjust it.
7. Install a toilet displacement device to cut down on the amount of water needed for each flush. (Don’t use a brick! There are devices available at most hardware and home centers.) Be sure installation does not interfere with the operating parts. Consider low-volume toilets which use less than half the water of older models. NOTE: In many areas, low-volume units are required by law.
8. Take shorter showers. Replace your showerhead with an ultra-low-flow version.
9. Place a bucket in the shower to catch excess water to water plants.
10. In the shower, turn water on to get wet; turn off to lather up; then turn the water back on to rinse off. Repeat when washing your hair.
11. Operate automatic dishwashers and clothes washers only when they are fully loaded or set the water level for the size of load you are using.
12. When hand washing dishes, save water by filling two containers – one with soapy water, one with rinse water containing a small amount of chlorine bleach.
13. Store drinking water in the refrigerator. Don’t let the tap run while you are waiting for water to cool.
14. Do not use running water to thaw meat or other frozen foods. Defrost food overnight in the refrigerator, or use the defrost setting on your microwave.
15. Kitchen sink disposals require lots of water to operate properly. Start a compost pile as an alternate method of disposing of food waste.
16. Do not waste water waiting for it to get hot. Capture it for other uses such as plant watering or heat it on the stove or in a microwave.
17. Consider installing an instant hot water heater on your sink and insulating your water pipes.
18. Think twice about installing a water-to-air heat pump or air-conditioning system. Newer air-to-air models are just as efficient and do not waste water.
19. Don’t let water run while brushing your teeth, washing your face or shaving.
20. Install water softening systems only when necessary. Turn softeners off while on vacation.
21. If you have a well at home, check your pump periodically. If the pump kicks on and off while water is not being used, you have a leak.
22. Avoid flushing the toilet unnecessarily. Dispose of tissues, insects and other similar waste in the trash rather than the toilet.