Saving water in and around your house is easy and can save you money. A typical home with no water saving devices uses about 72 gallons per person per day. Installing water efficient fixtures and taking some simple steps to minimize leaks and avoid waste can cut this use by over one-third! This not only helps the environment but it help you save on your water, wastewater, and energy bills.

Listed below are some tips to help you start saving.

1. Check you toilet for leaks. A "running" toilet can waste two gallons of water per minute, up to 7,000 gallons per month. To find silent leaks, put food coloring in the tank. Do not flush. Check the toilet bowl ten minutes later. If the coloring begins to appear in the toilet bowl without flushing, you have a wasteful leak that should be repaired at once. Toilet leaks are typically caused by either a worn out flapper valve or a fill valve that doesn't completely shut off when the tank is full. The flapper valve is the stopper in the bottom of the tank that lifts up when you push the flush handle and is the most likely culprit. When replacing the toilet flapper valve, make sure to select a model designed for your toilet.
   
   
2. Replace older toilets. A new toilet can save 19,000 gallons of water per year. SFPUC customers can receive rebates for the purchase of qualifying toilets. Rebate amounts are up to $100.
   
   
3. Install toilet devices such as displacement bags, toilet dams, or adjustable flappers to save water each time the toilet is flushed. Displacement devices are recommended for older toilets using 3.5 gallons per flush or more and are a less expensive alternative to replacing your toilet.
   
   
4. Install a water efficient showerhead. A new showerhead can save 10,000 gallons of water per year. If you are an SFPUC customer, you are eligible for a free showerhead. You can also check your hardware or plumbing supply store for an inexpensive showerhead that's easy to install and gives you a cleansing and refreshing shower.
   
   
5. Install low-flow aerators. Low-flow aerators on your kitchen and bathroom faucets are easy to install and reduce water use and splashing. Aerators on kitchen and bathroom faucets combined can save 8,600 gallons of water per year. If you are an SFPUC customer, you are eligible for free aerators.
   
   
6. A faucet leaking a slow steady drip - 100 drops per minute - wastes 350 gallons per month. A faucet leaking a small stream wastes 2,000 to 2,700 gallons of water per month. Replacing worn washers in your faucets will usually stop leaks.
   
   
7. Look for hidden leaks. Turn off all running water in the house. Check the reading on your water meter (schedule a Water Wise House Call and learn to read your meter). Don't use any water for 30 minutes, then read the meter. If it shows water used, then you have a hidden leak that needs repair. 
   
   
8. Don't turn on the water in the shower or sink and walk away waiting for it to warm up. You may not get back to it before hot water is wasted and can end up increasing both your water and energy bills. Insulate hot water pipes where possible to avoid wasting water while waiting for the hot water to arrive. 
   
   
9. While brushing your teeth, turn off the tap and save at least 2.5 gallons every minute. Rinse using a cup for water; run the tap only to rinse the toothbrush. 
   
   
10. Take shorter showers. Save at least 2.5 gallons for every minute you cut back. 
    
    
11. Instead of running water to rinse dishes, fill the kitchen sink and dip dishes in water to rinse.
    
    
12. Fill the sink or a bowl with water to wash fruits and vegetables.
    
    
13. Keep a container of water in the refrigerator rather than running tap water for a cool drink.
    
    
14. Operate the garbage disposal only when necessary. Consider composting food waste for use in your garden or dispose of it as solid waste if your community's trash collection accepts food waste for composting.
    
    
15. Use your dishwasher with full loads only; every load uses about 15 gallons.
    
    
16. When replacing your clothes washer, select a high efficiency model which uses less water, energy, and detergent, and clean clothes better than conventional models. SFPUC customers can get up to $100 in rebates for purchasing and installing select high-efficiency clothes washers. These models typically use about 40 per cent less water and anywhere from 40 to 70 per cent less energy.
    
    
17. Use your clothes washer with full loads only. Every load uses between 40 and 60 gallons.
    
    
18. Water your lawn deeply and less frequently. Avoid over watering and runoff. Adjust sprinklers to water the lawn, not the pavement.
    
    
19. Water early in the morning or late in the evening.
    
    
20. Change watering schedule seasonally.
    
    
21. Use a broom instead of the hose to clean your driveway and sidewalk.
    
    
22. Do not allow the hose to run as you wash your car. Use a self-closing hose nozzle, or turn off the water, between rinses.

For more information on saving water in your home or business, contact the SFPUC Water Conservation Section at (415) 551-4730.