If you want to save water in your house, you may want to address your bathroom first. Although water is often wasted here, the bathroom provides some of the best opportunities for water conservation. Water conservation not only helps the environment, but helps us save on bills. Additionally, drips and leaks can lead to mildew and mold, which can become health hazards. The tub, sink and toilet are some quick places to check. Reasonably-priced equipment is available to help water waste become a thing of the past.

Saving Water Around the Toilet

Installing a low-flow toilet can save up to four gallons of water with each flush. If installing a new toilet is not an option, consider placing a weighted plastic bottle in the tank to displace the water. This will allow the toilet to use less water with each flush. Check your toilet for leaks by adding a couple drops of food coloring to the tank and then waiting to see if it leaks into the bowl. Throw trash away instead of flushing it down the toilet.

Saving Water Around the Sink

When you run a faucet, you cause three gallons to run down the drain per minute. While brushing your teeth, washing your face or shaving, turn off the water. To rinse your washcloth or razor, use the stopper and run some water into the sink; then use this collected water for your washing needs. Use a drain cover to keep hair from clogging the drain, reducing the need to clean it.

Saving Water in the Bath or Shower

An average shower uses twenty-five to forty-five gallons of water, and an average bath uses fifty gallons. Take showers instead of baths whenever possible and keep them short. To really save water, use the shower only to wet your hair and body and to rinse off at the end; turn the shower off while lathering up. Bathe small children together. Again, keep the drain clear of hair so it doesn’t need to be unclogged.

Equipment to Help Save Water

A really low-tech and inexpensive way to save water is to use a plain bucket to collect water that is “warming up” and use this water to flush the toilet or water plants. Installing a low-flow shower head is inexpensive and easy to do. Using high-efficiency plumbing can save you up to thirty percent of your water use.

Common Water-Saving Misconceptions

• Myth: Low-flow toilets do not flush well.
  Fact: Toilet technology has improved and today’s low-flow toilets perform just as well as traditional toilets, and with much better water efficiency.
• Myth: High-efficiency toilets cause problems with household plumbing.
  Fact: High-efficiency toilets meet or exceed national plumbing standards.
• Myth: Low-flow shower heads won’t get soap out of hair.
  Fact: Low-flow shower heads increase water pressure and can rinse hair more thoroughly than traditional shower heads.