Indoor Water Saving Tips

Often, it's the small things that can mean big long-term savings. Check out the Top 5 Most Common Household Leaks, and then use the following tips to help you do your part to live a more water-wise lifestyle.

In the Bathroom

Check faucets and pipes for leaks.
Turn off the water while brushing your teeth or shaving, rather than running a steady stream.
Limit showers to five minutes.
For homes built prior to 1992, Chandler offers free retrofit kits that contain a low-volume showerhead, low flow aerators for faucets, and a toilet displacement bag.
Check your toilet periodically for leaks. Place a few drops of food coloring in the tank. After a few minutes, if you see color in the bowl, you have a leak, perhaps caused by a faulty flapper.
Read the Toilet Leak Detection Brochure.
Listen for gurgling sounds coming from your toilet. These noises indicate the flush valve needs to be adjusted to stop wasting water.
In pre-1980 homes, fill a plastic, one quart bottle with water and place it in the toilet tank. To anchor the bottle, partially fill it with sand or any heavy substance. This does not affect the efficiency of most toilets and can save 5 or more gallons per day per a family of four. Do not use bricks to displace water in your toilet tank. They will break down over time and can cause problems.
Avoid using your toilet for a wastebasket or ashtray. Extra flushes waste water and money.

In the Kitchen & Laundry Room

Automatic dishwashers and washers are more efficient if run only when they are full.
When washing dishes by hand, don't let the tap run freely to rinse. Fill the second side of the sink with rinse water.
Fill a pitcher with drinking water and store it in the refrigerator.

According to the EPA, the average household loses more than 10,000 gallons of water each year through leaks - the same amount of water needed to wash 280 loads of laundry, take 600 showers, or meet the average family's water needs for a month! The smallest leaks can add up quickly and cost you money.

Fortunately, most leaks are easy to find if you know where to look, and they're often simple to fix. The Smart Home Water Guide is packed full of handy step-by-step tips on how to save water inside your home as well as outside. This easy-to-follow guide will walk you through the process and provides links to DIY videos and other resources to help you correct the problem.