If it seems like your water bill keeps going up, you’re probably right. CircleofBlue.org says the price of residential water service in 30 major U.S. cities is rising fast. It probably won’t cost you a lot, but conserving water does take some time. And usnews.com says it’s not all about taking shorter showers and not letting the water run when you brush your teeth.
First, know where your home uses the most water. A typical household uses 5-percent for drinking and cooking. Most likely, the majority of your water usage is in the bathroom. American Water in New Jersey says an average person uses up to 50 gallons of water indoors a day. Toilets account for about 45-percent. Taking a bath or shower is about 30-percent of that amount. Doing the laundry and dishes account for 20-percent of water usage.
Outside, if you have a lush, green lawn, chances are you’re using 660 gallons of water for 1,000 square feet of lawn, according to American Water That’s the same amount of water you use inside the house each week!
Second, to save money on water, you might have to spend money. There are products you can invest in that are designed to reduce your water bill. AM Conservation Group out of South Carolina says you should consider a toilet tank bank. This is a plastic bag you fill with water and then clip onto the side of the tank. With less space in the tank, less water goes into the tank, which in turn will save you money.
Also, consider buying a lower-flow shower head. It could save you $73 a year.
Faucet aerators are devices you can attach to the end of your faucets so less water comes out. That can save $104 annually.
Third, check for leaks around the house such as a leaky faucet or a leaky toilet that can waste up to 120 extra gallons of water a day. The easiest way to check for a leaky toilet is by putting some food coloring in the tank. If color appears in the bowl without flushing, then you have a leak.
When it comes to your lawn, don’t cut your grass as short. Longer grass makes your lawn more drought-tolerant and that means you use less water.
In the garden, try a drip irrigation hose instead of spraying everything with a garden hose. And water in the morning, not afternoon.
Stop buying bottled water. It can be 300 times more expensive than tap water.
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