Simple Ways to Lower Your Water Bill

Garden Sprinklers and Hosing

• Avoid using sprinklers in the garden as they consume large amounts of water and can be wasteful. Only use a sprinkler on a timer to avoid it being left on. Planting grass and shrubbery, which is drought-resistant, will save water because these species only need watering about once a week. Choose to use a watering can instead of hosing pot plants and flower gardens to reduce water wastage.

Upgrade Household Equipment

• The new Energy Star-rated appliances use far less water and electricity compared with older models, so if you need to replace an appliance make sure you choose one that is designed to use less water. Some modern dishwashers use only a few gallons of water, less than washing and rinsing in the kitchen sink. Investing in water saving dishwasher and washing machine can lower your annual water bill. Replacing your toilet with a newer model will save water as the older models manufactured before 1994 are known to be water guzzlers.

Identify and Repair Leaks

• Dripping taps and leaking hot water system valves can use a lot of extra water each year and if you have more than one dripping tap, this wastage will be multiplied and add dollars to your annual water bill. A tap that drips one drip per second will waste 2,700 gallons of water per year. A simple washer replacement that costs a couple of dollars will stop this water wastage and lower your water bill.

Water Saving Faucets and Showerheads

• Especially designed faucets and showerheads are now available at most hardware stores and are easy to fit with the right tools and some basic DIY knowledge. These faucets let out a pressured spray of water that is adequate to wash or shower under and uses far less water than a traditional faucet or shower head. If these are fitted in all bathrooms and the kitchen, your water bill will be much lower. There are also special timers available to encourage family members to have 5-minute showers, which can be purchased from most hardware stores.

Recycle Grey Water for the Garden

• With some basic plumbing knowledge, a handyman can redirect the grey water from your kitchen and bathroom onto your gardens and lawns. This is a great way to reduce your water bill and it is environmentally friendly as well. Grey water can also be used in toilets quite safely.