Tips On Saving On Your Water Bill

Are you using more water than you thought? Take a look at your bill. The average daily water use in Los Angeles County is between 50 and 200 gallons per person per day. You’d be surprised at how much water you are using and money you can save by following conservation tips.

Inside your house, bathroom facilities claim nearly 75% of the water used.

Never pour water down the drain when there may be another use for it such as watering a plant or garden, or for cleaning around your home.

Verify that your home is leak free. Many homes have hidden water leaks. Read your water meter before and after a two-hour period when no water is being used. If the meter does not read exactly the same, there is a leak.

Repair dripping faucets by replacing washers. If your faucet is dripping at a rate of one drop per second, you can expect to waste 2,700 gallons per year. This adds to the cost of water and sewer utilities and adds to your water bill.

Retrofit all household faucets by installing aerators with flow restrictors to slow the flow of water.

Check for toilet tank leaks by adding food coloring to the tank. If the toilet is leaking, color will appear in the toilet bowl within 30 minutes. Check the toilet for worn out, corroded or bent parts. Most replacement parts are inexpensive, readily available and easily installed. (Flush as soon as test is done, since food coloring may stain tank.)

If the toilet handle frequently sticks in the flush position letting water run constantly, replace or adjust it.

Install a toilet dam or displacement device such as a bag or bottle to cut down on the amount of water needed for each flush. Be sure installation does not interfere with the operating parts. When purchasing new or replacement toilets, consider low-volume units which use less than half the water of older models. In many areas, low-volume units are required by local building codes.

Take shorter showers. Replace your showerhead with an ultra-low-flow version. Some units are available that allow you to cut off the flow without adjusting the water temperature knobs.

Place a bucket in the shower to catch excess water and use this to water plants. The same technique can be used when washing dishes or vegetables in the sink.

Operate automatic dishwashers and clothes washers only when they are fully loaded. Set the water level for the size of load you are using.

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.

Avoid flushing the toilet unnecessarily. Dispose of tissues, insects and other similar waste in the trash rather than the toilet. 
 

If you are looking for a Los Angles plumber for your home, please call 310-475-3513 or Contact Us to schedule your plumbing service today.