Water - Reducing Your Water Use There are a wide variety of fixtures and appliances that will help you reduce your water use. In most communities, this will allow you to save money on both your water and sewer bills. Reducing your use of hot water will also save the cost and energy of heating that water. See appliances to learn about water-saving appliances.
You can achieve a significant savings in overall water use and hot water use in particular by installing low-flow showerheads and faucets. Because showers use 37% of the hot water in typical U.S. homes, all showerheads now sold in the United States must meet the Federal efficiency standard of using at most 2.5 gallons per minute. Many new showerheads meet this standard with an increase in performance; this will be particularly noticeable to owners of older homes with poor water pressure.
While you're replacing your old showerheads and faucets, take the time to also repair leaky faucets and showerheads. You can also save water by taking more showers than baths. Baths use the most hot water in an average household. You use 15 to 25 gallons of hot water for a bath and less than 10 gallons during a 5-minute shower. Shower Fact: Showers consume up to 37% of the hot water used in a typical home. You can:
* Save up to 17,000 gallons of water per year.
* Reduce wastewater emitted to our streams, rivers, and marine waters.
* Protect drinking water sources.
* Improve septic system performance.
Best Features: There are many showerheads that are available that comply with the new 2.5-gallon flow rate required by the Federal efficiency standard. Various brands offer different levels of improved shower quality, flow rates, and performance characteristics. When replacing your showerhead, keep these suggestions in mind to help you save money on your water bill:
* Select a brand with features that will minimize your shower time, and avoid purchasing products that prolong it, like shower radios.
* If you have well water or public water from an older municipal system, select a brand specifically designed to maximize satisfaction with low-pressure water output.
* Choose a showerhead that delivers water in a multitude of individual jets rather than delivering a fine mist or spray.
Save Money: Studies show that self-installation of showerheads occurs only 40-50% of the time despite the best of intentions. Ensure maximum and immediate water and energy savings by hiring a professional to install your showerhead as soon as it is purchased. You can address other plumbing problems at the same time and save more money and water. Maximize these savings by applying these tips:
* Take a quick shower rather than a bath and save an average of 20 gallons of water.
* Do not drain the hot water heater completely with each shower or you will waste the energy savings that you have gained by the new, efficient showerhead.
* Replace showerheads that fill a one-gallon bucket of water in 20 seconds or less.
* Choose an efficient model that has a flow rate lower than the 2.5-gallon maximum allowed by the standard.
* Install aerators on your kitchen and bathroom faucets.
* Turn off the water when brushing your teeth or shaving.
* Repair leaky faucets and showerheads.
Find It: A typical family of four uses between 200 and 350 gallons of water a day. Toilet Fact: Toilet flushing accounts for 45% of indoor water use, or approximately 32,000 gallons per year for a family of four using 5-7 gallons-per-flush toilets. You can:
* Reduce the amount of energy used to pump, heat, and treat water.
* Cut daily water use 34% per toilet.
* Save the typical household 7,900-21,700 gallons of water per year per toilet, cutting both your water and wastewater bills.
* Help maintain aquatic habitats; restore wetlands and fisheries.
Best Features: By law, replacement or new construction toilets are restricted to flush a maximum of 1.6 gallons rather than the 3.5-7 gallons used by older toilets. Specific model choices are a question of preference, size, and rough-in limitations, and desired performance. Options include:
* Gravity-fed flushing (uses natural force of the water when it drops from the tank to the bowl).
* Power-assisted or pressure-assisted toilets (separate flushometer tank system utilizes air pressure to move the water).
* Elongated oval bowls (offer greater support for your legs).
* Compact, wall-mounted European model with a concealed tank.
* Buy low profile, one-piece toilets (available in round and elongated styles) with an integrated tank and bowl.
* Two-piece toilets, which sit higher and are more comfortable on the knees.
* Composting toilet for minimal water use and maximum conservation opportunities.
Save Money: Toilets installed prior to 1994 use 3.5-7 gallons (13-27 liters) of water per flush and as much as 20 gallons (76 liters) per person per day. In addition, an average of 20% of toilets leak, wasting up to 200 gallons a day. You can save a significant amount of water and reduce your utility, wastewater, and water bills, by doing the following:
* Install an ultra low-flow toilet that requires only 1.6 gallons (6 liters) per flush.
* Consider a pressurized model for optimal performance when installing a low-flow toilet in the basement.
* Check toilets periodically for leaks, and repair them promptly.
* Reduce tank capacity by placing a one-gallon plastic jug of water or gravel, or two one-quart bottles in the tank.
* Install a "dam" that partitions off a section of the tank so it can't fill with water.
* Don't use the toilet as a trash can. 
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