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Save Water Indoors
The Bathroom:
By far the main source of water use in the home, bathrooms have great potential for water efficiency. Here are a few things to consider that can result in huge water savings:
Toilets
- Replace old, inefficient toilets (which can use up to 6 gpf) with new, WaterSense labeled toilets that flush at or under 1.28 gpf. Simply making that switch could save the average family 13,000 gallons of water/year! Don't forget, replacing your toilet might qualify you for a rebate!
- Check your toilet for leaks. Often times silent toilet leaks go undetected and can result in up to 200 gallons of wasted water/day! Here's how: Toilet Dye Tab Test
- Never use the toilet as an ashtray or wastebasket for facial tissues, cotton swabs, etc. Only flush the things that are intended to be flushed!
Shower/Bathtub
- Install low-flow, WaterSense labeled shower heads to potentially save the average family up to 2,900 gallons/year. Visit the City of Hays Finance Office to pick up a low flow showerhead for FREE or low cost with the exchange of your old showerhead.
- Take shorter showers! Shorten your shower by just 1 minute and save up to 500 gallons/year.
- When running a bath, plug the bathtub before turning on the water. Adjust the temperature as the tub fills.
- When bathing children, only fill the bath as deep as their belly button (when sitting in the tub) vs. completely full.
- Shut the water off while washing your hair; turn it back on to rinse.
Bathroom Faucets
- Replacing old, inefficient faucets and aerators with WaterSense labeled models can save the average family up to 700 gallons of water/year. Pick up a free faucet aerator at the Finance Office.
- Check faucets and pipes often for leaks. One drip every second can add up to 5 gallons/day!
- Shut off the water while brushing your teeth and save up to 4 gallons a minute.
- Rinse your razor in the sink vs. letting the water run each time.
- When washing your hands, turn off the water while you lather.
The Kitchen
Think about all the ways water is used in the kitchen. Saving water is as easy as the following:
Dishwasher
- Use one! Dishwashers typically use less water than washing dishes by hand. Use this site to compare models.
- Only run the dishwasher when fully loaded.
- Don't pre-rinse the dishes! Most dishwashers can handle the dirty dishes just fine.
Kitchen Faucet/Sink
- Install a kitchen faucet aerator. Pick up an aerator for free at the Finance Office.
- Collect the water you use to rinse fruits/vegetables. Use it to water houseplants.
- Keep a jug of cold water in the refrigerator instead of letting the faucet run until the water gets cold.
- Cook food in as little water as possible (i.e. boiling pasta, potatoes, etc.)
- Designate one cup for your drinking water each day (or fill a bottle), this will limit the number of glasses to wash.
- Defrost food in the refrigerator vs. the "speed thaw" method in a sink full of water.
- When washing dishes by hand, fill one basin with soapy water and one with rinse water to avoid running the faucet each time you rinse.
The Laundry Room
Clothes Washer
- Consider installing an EnergyStar labeled, high efficiency clothes washer with an IWF of 3.7 or less. Use this site to compare models. Don't forget, you might qualify for a rebate!
- When doing laundry, match the water level to the size of the load.
- Wash clothes in cold water when possible to save water and energy.
- Check all hoses and connections regularly for leaks.
Here are some general tips to help with efficient water use:
- Monitor your water bill for unusually high use. Your bill and water meter are tools that can help you discover leaks.
- Teach children to shut faucets off tightly after each use.
- Keep up to date with the latest water conservation rules/regulations as they may change based on drought conditions.
- Report any suspected water main leaks to the Department of Water Resources.
- Spread the word about the City's Water Conservation rebates and programs with friends and neighbors!