Water conservation is presently more of a necessity than a fad. It is of great importance for our future generations, having become a crucial factor in multiple regions of the USA, even in areas where water seems plentiful. Water conservation doesn’t just save money on your utility bill – it also prevents water pollution in nearby lakes and rivers. The following are some basic plumbing tips on how to preserve water at your home and take care of the environment:

1. Check taps and pipes for leaks.
Remember that a small drip from a worn tap washer can waste 20 gallons of water every day. Larger leaks waste much more.

2. Inspect your toilet tank for leaks.
Drop some food coloring in your toilet tank. Do not flush your toilet for half an hour after that. If the color starts to appear in the bowl during that time, there is a leak that should be fixed without any excuses and delays.

3. Your toilet is not an ashtray or trashcan.
Whenever you flush a cigarette butt, used napkins or other small amounts of trash, 5-7 gallons of water is wasted.

4. Install low-flush toilets in case if you decide to replace your current one.

For new installations, think about purchasing “low flush” toilets, which use 1 to 2 gallons per flush instead of the 3-5 gallons used by conventional toilets.

5. Install water-saving shower heads and low-flow faucet aerators.
Inexpensive water-saving low-flow shower heads or restrictors can be installed by the homeowners and though simple, they become really helpful when it comes to conserving water.

6. Check for hidden water leaks.
If you have the water meter at your house, mark the amount of water before and after a two-hour period of time and do not use water during this time. If the meter does not show exactly the same number, there is definitely a water leak.

7. Take shorter showers.
As inconvenient as it might seem, one of the efficient ways to reduce your water usage is to limit the shower time. A 5-minute shower uses from 20 to 40 gallons of water, by the way.

9. Do not run water while brushing your teeth.
There is no need to keep the water running while brushing your teeth. Wet your brush and fill a cup for mouth rinsing and then turn the water off.

10. Fully load your clothes washer and dishwasher.
Automatic dishwashers and clothes washers should be loaded to the fullest for optimum water preservation. Turn the pre-rinsing dishes function off, which is a big water waste source in itself.

If you’re looking for a new clothes washer, consider buying a water-saving frontload type.

11. Limit the use of kitchen sink garbage disposals. 
In-sink units need a bunch of water for proper operation and also add considerably to the volume of solids in a septic tank which can lead to maintenance problems. If possible, use trashcans for disposing of food waste.

12. Keep a bottle of drinking water in the fridge.
When you run tap water to cool it off for drinking, you waste it. It is better to keep drinking water cooled in the fridge in a safe drinking bottle.

If you apply the mentioned water-saving features, you can reduce your in-home water usage by 35%. Isn’t that amazing?

If you think about it, installation of low-flow aerators, showerheads, tank banks and other water-saving devices is pretty simple and can be done by the homeowner. However, in case if you require a professional touch in your water conservation efforts, contact Brea/Orange County Plumbing Heating & Air Conditioning for more plumbing solutions, since saving water should become part of every family practice.