Water Conservation Tips

Below are some tips that can save you money by conserving water usage.

• New toilets are designed to conserve water use.
  • They use only 1.6 gallons per flush. Replacing an older toilet will pay off in the long run through savings on your water bill.
• Check for leaks.
  • Toilets are notorious for silent leaks, usually through the flapper valve at the bottom of the tank. Place a few drops of food coloring in the toilet tank and wait 15 minutes without flushing. Look into the toilet bowl to see if the water becomes colored. If it does, you have a leak and it should be repaired as soon as possible. A leak in your toilet can waste thousands of gallons per year. A faucet leaking one drop per second can waste from 2 to 4 thousand gallons per year.
• Generally, it is preferable to replace your toilet with the new water-saving type instead of displacing water with bricks and other objects.
• Consider replacing your toilets fill assembly with a dual-action flush feature to flush only liquid waste with a smaller volume of water.
• Today's high efficiency clothes washers can save the average household over 5,000 gallons of water per year compared to older models.
  • The newer machines also use less energy. If you are not ready to purchase a new washer, you can still save water by washing only full loads of laundry or matching the water level to the size of the load if your machine has a load size adjustment.
• Do not leave the water running while you are brushing your teeth or shaving.
• Check your outside spigots frequently to ensure they are off.
  • If you have the kind that can be shut off from inside the home, shut them off inside during the winter months when they are not being used.
• Install a water saving or "low-flow" showerhead.
  • They are inexpensive, easy to install and can save thousands of gallons of water per year
• Baths can use upwards of 40 gallons depending on how full you fill your tub.
  • The average shower uses 20 to 30 gallons.
• Check your water bill monthly to see how much water you are using.
  • Knowing your water use habits will allow you to spot problems before they become larger and more expensive.
• Download and use the Eye On Water App, which is the best approach for leak notification.
  • It allows you to set up notifications for unusual water use based on parameters that you set based on your water use habits. Contact the Utility Business Office at (317) 542-0511 or visit https://helpeyeonwater.com/.
• Remember, water is a precious resource. Making every drop count will benefit you, your community, and your environment. Rain barrels on gutter downspouts are also a great source of water for outdoor uses.