How to Save Money on Your Water Bills

Saving money on water bills involves understanding current consumption and implementing conservation strategies. Minor daily adjustments can significantly reduce household expenses. These efforts also contribute to environmental sustainability by preserving a natural resource.

Understanding Your Water Bill

Interpreting your water bill helps manage household consumption. Most utility companies measure water usage in either gallons or centum cubic feet (CCF), where one CCF equals 748 gallons. Your bill displays current usage, often with previous billing periods, to track consumption patterns. Comparing usage to prior months or similar households highlights unusual spikes and potential savings.

Water bills include a fixed base facility charge covering service costs like electricity for pumping, treatment, and system maintenance. Beyond this fixed charge, your bill reflects variable rates based on water volume. Some utilities employ increasing block rates, where the price per unit of water increases as consumption rises, encouraging conservation. Conversely, declining block rates charge less per unit as usage increases, while uniform rates maintain a constant per-unit price.

Saving Water Inside Your Home

Reducing indoor water consumption lowers utility bills. Bathrooms account for over half of indoor residential water use, making them a primary focus. Installing WaterSense labeled showerheads can save approximately 4 gallons per shower, and similar faucet aerators can save about 700 gallons annually. Taking shorter showers, ideally around five minutes, uses considerably less water than filling a bathtub, which can require up to 70 gallons.

Simple habits also save water, such as turning off the faucet while brushing teeth or shaving, saving 8 gallons daily. Toilets, major water users, offer efficiency; ensure no leaks and consider low-flow or dual-flush models. These fixtures use less water per flush without compromising performance.

In the kitchen, run dishwashers only when full, and scrape plates instead of pre-rinsing. Wash vegetables in a basin rather than under a running tap. Minimize garbage disposal use by composting food waste.

For laundry, run full loads or adjust water settings for smaller ones. An Energy Star labeled washing machine can reduce water and energy consumption by up to 50 percent. WaterSense labeled dishwashers and washing machines use at least 20 percent less water while maintaining performance.

Saving Water Outside Your Home

Outdoor water use is a substantial portion of household consumption, especially in warmer months when landscaping demands increase. Landscaping choices impact water bills. Opting for drought-tolerant or native plants that require less irrigation once established reduces water needs. Applying a 3-4 inch layer of mulch around plants helps retain soil moisture, reducing evaporation and suppressing weeds. Grouping plants with similar water requirements also allows for more efficient watering.

Effective irrigation practices save water. Watering plants deeply but infrequently encourages stronger root growth and reduces runoff. Water in early morning or late evening when temperatures are cooler to minimize evaporation. Regularly inspect irrigation systems for leaks, broken lines, or misdirected sprinklers to prevent water waste. WaterSense labeled irrigation controllers adjust watering based on weather or soil moisture, saving thousands of gallons annually.

Outdoor cleaning tasks also offer water savings. Use a broom to clear driveways and patios instead of a hose. When washing a car, use a bucket and sponge with a shut-off nozzle. Commercial car washes often recycle water, providing a water-efficient alternative.

For pools, reducing evaporation saves water. Using a pool cover when not in use prevents thousands of gallons of water loss each month. Maintaining proper chemical levels in pools and spas extends the water’s life, reducing draining and refilling frequency. Rain barrels can capture rainwater for garden use, providing a free, sustainable source.

Detecting and Fixing Leaks

Undetected water leaks lead to substantial waste and inflated bills. A primary method for identifying leaks involves monitoring your water meter. For a whole-house leak check, turn off all water fixtures and appliances, then observe the small triangular or star-shaped leak indicator on your water meter. If this indicator moves, or the meter’s main dial shows usage despite no active water use, a leak is present. For slower leaks, take an initial meter reading, wait a few hours without using water, then take a second reading; any change indicates a leak.

Common hidden leak locations include underground pipes, irrigation systems, or within walls or ceilings. Signs like unexplained puddles, discolored or warped surfaces, musty odors, or dripping water can indicate a hidden leak. If the water meter test confirms a leak, determining if it is inside or outside the house involves turning off your home’s main water valve and re-checking the meter. If the meter stops moving, the leak is inside; if it continues, the leak is between the meter and the house.

Many leaks, like a dripping faucet or running toilet, are do-it-yourself fixes. A simple toilet leak test involves adding food coloring to the tank and waiting 10 minutes; if color appears in the bowl without flushing, the toilet has a leak. For complex issues, like leaks in hidden pipes or irrigation systems, professional assistance may be necessary. Regular checks and prompt repairs prevent significant water loss and unnecessary expenses.