Water Partnership Council

Fast Facts

For even more tips, visit the American Water Works Association's Web site.

Water Use in the Bathroom

Install an ultra low-flow toilet that requires only 1.6 gallons per flush.
To ensure optimal performance, when installing a low-flow toilet in areas with a low drainage gradient (such as basements), consider a pressurized model.
Check toilets periodically for leaks and repair them promptly.
Reduce the amount of water used by an older toilet by placing a one gallon plastic jug of water, or two one quart bottles, in the tank to displace toilet flows. Or you can install a "dam" that partitions off a section of the tank so it can't fill with water. These methods can save over 1,000 gallons of water per person per year.
Don't use the toilet as a trash can.

Showers and Faucets

Take a quick shower rather than a bath and save an average of 20 gallons of water.
Install a water-efficient showerhead with a flow rate of less than 2.5 gallons per minute. Replace an existing shower head if a one gallon bucket placed under the flow takes less than 20 seconds to fill.
Install aerators on your kitchen and bathroom faucets to reduce indoor water use by as much as 4%.
Turn off the water when brushing your teeth or shaving and save more than 5 gallons per day.
Clean vegetables in a sink or pan partially filled with water rather than running water from the tap.
Reuse the water that vegetables are washed in for watering houseplants or for cleaning.
If you wash dishes by hand, rinse them in a sink partially filled with clean water instead of under running water.
Instead of waiting for tap water to get cold enough for drinking, keep a bottle of water in the refrigerator.
Whenever possible, compost food scraps or dispose of them in the garbage rather than using the garbage disposal which requires a high level of water for operation.

Outdoor Water Use

Wash your car with a bucket of soapy water and use a nozzle to stop the flow of water from the hose between rinsings.
Clean driveways and sidewalks with a broom instead of the hose.
Check for leaks in outdoor faucets, pipes and hoses.
Prevent the creation of leaks by shutting off and draining water lines to outside spigots in the winter.
Cover your spa or pool to reduce evaporation. An average size pool left uncovered can lose as much as 1,000 gallons of water per month.
Also, check your spa/pool for leaks and have them repaired promptly.