Saving Water at Home

Print

Font Size: + -

Water Conservation Tips

Conserving water has many benefits including helping to preserve the environment and saving money on utility costs. By conserving water, you are also helping to ensure that clean water will be available for future generations.

Saving water is easier than you think! Small habits that you can start today will add up to big savings over time:

Look for labels. When purchasing new appliances or equipment - like toilets, faucets, showerheads, irrigation - look for products with the WaterSense™ label. Before you install your new toilet, check if your eligible for a toilet rebate. New rebate amount!
Fix a leak. Small household leaks can add up to gallons of water lost every day. Leaks Can Run, but They Can't Hide
Shower, don't bathe. You'll save up to 5,000 gallons per month if you take a five-minute shower instead of soaking in a bubble bath.
Shorten your showers. In the United States, the average shower length is 8 minutes. Each minute you can cut saves water!
Go low flow. Purchase and install a low flow shower head and save an additional 500 gallons of water per week per shower. Did you know Sunrise offers FREE water-saving devices?
Turn off the tap. Turning off the water while you brush your teeth can save up to four gallons per minute. That adds up to 200 gallons per month for a family of four!
Test your tank. Add food coloring to the water in your toilet's tank. If it seeps into the bowl, you have a leak. Fixing the leak can save more than 600 gallons per month.
Wash only when you have a full load. Wait until you have a full load to use your dishwasher and your washing machine and you'll save up to 1,000 gallons per month. Save on your energy bill too by washing clothes in cold water.
Trash it. Throwing that tissue in the trash saves five gallons of water vs. flushing it away. What Not to Flush
Pick your plants carefully. Choose low water or drought tolerant Florida-Friendly Landscaping for significant water savings. Be A Butterfly Hero by choosing plants that attract butterflies.
Drip. Choose a water-saving drip irrigation system for your landscaping. It not only saves water and money, it's more effective than regular sprinklers. Are you looking to upgrade your irrigation system, check to see if you qualify for a Residential Irrigation Rebate.
Be an early bird. Watering your lawn in the early morning hours when temperatures and wind speeds are at their lowest reduces evaporation and waste. The best time is right before dawn.
Use a pool cover. An uncovered pool or spa can lose about half the water in them to evaporation. If you cover them when not in use, you can prevent 90-95% of the evaporation. Properly maintain your pool or spa, and only drain your pool or spa when necessary.
Install a rain barrel. Harvesting rain water to supplement irrigation can save money over time. How-to for Installing a Rain Barrel

Conduct a Home Water Audit

The average U.S. household uses approximately 69.3 gallons of water per person per day indoors, according to a survey by the American Water Works Association. Do you know how much water your family consumes? By conducting a simple household water audit, you can estimate your indoor use. This can help you target your water conservation efforts and, in turn, save money.

Download our typeable Water Audit Form [PDF], and we'll do the math!