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Indoor Water Saving Tips


Making small changes to your household water use can make a big difference in the amount of water you use and save you money!

Kitchen

  • Replace your faucet with an efficient faucet (water flow rate of 8.3L per minute or less) or install a low-flow faucet aerator to your existing faucet. 
  • Soak pots and pans before washing. When washing dishes by hand, fill one sink or basin with soapy water.
  • Fill the basin or a pan with water to wash fruits and vegetables.
  • Keep a pitcher of water in the refrigerator rather than running tap water until it is cool enough to drink.
  • Put only water down the drain - no grease, fat or chemicals.
  • When buying a new dishwasher, purchase a water-saving model. Newer models can cut water use by 25 percent and are no more expensive than non-conserving models.
  • Wash only full loads in the dishwasher. Do not pre-rinse unless necessary.

 

Bathroom

  • Bathrooms account for about 65 percent of water use inside the home.
  • Install water efficient plumbing fixtures. Ask retailers for help when purchasing new fixtures to ensure you meet efficiency standards:
    • Toilets – 6.0 L per flush or less (Toilet Rebate Program)
    • Faucets – water flow rate of 8.3 L per minute or less
    • Showerheads – water flow rate of 9.5 L per minute or less
  • Do not use the toilet to dispose of paper, facial tissues, or cigarettes.
  • Take a five-minute shower. Install a shower timer to help you monitor this.
  • Use the minimum amount of water needed for a bath. Fill the tub only 1/3 full.
  • Turn the tap water off while brushing your teeth, shaving, or washing your face. A typical family of four can save more than 26,000 litres of water a year by turning off the tap while brushing their teeth.
  • If the toilet flush handle frequently sticks in the flush position, letting water run constantly, replace or adjust it.
  • Check for leaks in your toilet (see tips below)

 

Laundry

  • Purchase a water-efficient clothes washer which can save a typical family of four $150 in utility costs and more than 33,000 litres of water per year. Apply for the clothes washer rebate program. 
  • Wash only full loads. Match water and temperature settings with the type and amount of wash you are doing. 

 

Other household tips

  • Be aware of and follow all water conservation and water shortage rules in effect in our community.
  • Insulate your water pipes. You’ll get hot water faster.
  • Washing your car with a running hose uses as much as 400 litres of water! Use a bucket instead and save up to 75 per cent. When you wash your car on the lawn the water does double duty. Be sure to use a biodegradable detergent.
  • Shut off your main water line and leave your taps open to prevent frozen and burst pipes when you go on vacation. It also will save water if an appliance like your hot water tank springs a leak.

 

Leak detection

Leaky fixtures and pipes waste water 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This extra water use costs you money on your utility bill. Often these leaks are easy and cheap to repair.   Regularly check faucets, pipes, taps, hoses and the fittings of your washing machine.

Water meter.How to detect a leak in your home

  1. Turn off all of your water faucets and appliances. Make sure no water is running (remember the furnace humidifier)
  2. Locate your water meter. In most houses, they are in the basement.
  3. Write down the meter reading, including the number after the decimal point, before going to bed.
  4. Do not use any water overnight.
  5. Read the meter again in the morning. If the number has changed, something in the home is using water.
  6. Check faucets, pipes, taps, toilets, hoses and washing machine fittings to find the source of the leak.
  7. Talk to your local hardware store about how to repair the leak.

How to detect a leak in your toilet

A leaky toilet can waste enough water to fill 28 bathtubs in one month! Not all toilet leaks are obvious. Check for leaks twice a year. Leak detection tablets are available free from City Hall!

  • Insert a leak detection tablet or put a few drops of food colouring into your tank.
  • Do not flush.
  • Wait for 15-20 minutes. If the colour begins to appear in tank, you have a leak.
  • Talk to your local hardware store about how to repair the leak.