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This outpaces inflation and the price of food over that same time period. Due to aging infrastructure that’s costly to repair, it’s likely the cost of water and sewer will continue to climb.
So, what can you do about this? How can you save money on your ever-increasing water bill?
The easiest answer is to lower the amount of water you use each month.
Here are 16 simple ways you can reduce the amount of water you use each month and save money on your water bill in the process.
Table of Contents
Install Low-Flow Showerheads
If you have an older showerhead, you should consider installing a low-flow showerhead. Low-flow showerheads are designed to cut down on the amount of water that gets discharged from the shower.
Older showerheads can use around 5.5 gallons per minute (GPM) on average while a low-flow showerhead’s flow rate is closer to 2.5 GPM. That’s 3 GPM in savings.
If you take a 10-minute shower each day, you could save 30 gallons per day on average just from upgrading to low-flow showerheads!
Install a New Low-Flow Toilet
Like older showerheads, if you have an old toilet, there’s a good chance you can save on your water bill by switching to a new low-flow toilet.
Older toilets can use up to 6 gallons of water per flush, while low-flow toilets are 1.6 gallons per flush or less (must be 1.6 or less to meet government plumbing standards).
Before you go out and buy just any toilet, do your research first. Consumer Reports is a great resource for all kinds of products, including toilets.
Install Low-Flow Faucet Aerators
Similar to low-flow showerheads, low-flow faucet aerators reduce the GPM being discharged from the faucet.
For reference, an aerator is often an attachment that is screwed in at the end of the faucet that:
- Prevents splashing
- Spreads out the water flow evenly to create a straight and consistent stream
- Increases water pressure at the point of discharge
- Reduces faucet noise
- Provides a level of filtration of debris
Older faucets use around 2.5 GPM on average while a low-flow faucet can reduce the flow rate to 0.5 – 1.5 GPM.
Low-flow faucet aerators are relatively inexpensive and combined with other low-flow plumbing fixtures, can save you thousands of gallons of water each year (when compared to older models).
Adjust the Water Level in Your Toilet Tank (homemade low-flow)
Some common ways to reduce water use on an older toilet include:
- displacement devices – for instance you can use an old soda bottle. Fill the bottom with sand or pebbles and the remainder with water and place it in your tank to cut down on the amount of water in the tank.
- toilet dams – similar to displacement devices, they take up a permanent place in your toilet making them less likely to move and affect the function of the toilet
- early close flappers – a normal flappers returns to the closed position once all of the water has vacated the tank. An early close flapper acts just like it sounds. It closes prior to all of the water leaving the tank.
A word of caution, these toilets weren’t originally designed and intended to be used in this way, so you may find that, although these devices do cut down on water usage, they may not work as effectively.
Don’t Use Your Toilet as a Trash Can
If you use your toilet for things like tissue paper, cotton swabs, dead bugs, cigarette buts, etc. and flush after each disposal, you are wasting a significant amount of water with each flush (even with most low-flow toilets it’s over a gallon per flush).
Take Shorter Showers
Don’t lollygag in the shower, each minute you spend in the shower uses 5.5 GPM (closer to 2.5 GPM for low-flow showerheads).
Using 5.5 GPM, even cutting 2 minutes from your shower time can save you 11 gallons, and that’s just one shower! Imagine how much you can save each month.
Use the Dishwasher More
For most people, this means using the dishwasher is more efficient if you’re looking to save money on your water bill.
Identify and Fix Leaks
Have a leaky sink? That drip could end up wasting 20 or more gallons of water per day.
Think you have a leaky toilet? Place a few drops of food coloring in the tank. If the color ends up in the bowl without you flushing, you know you have a leak.
Turn Off the Water When It’s Not Actively Being Used
Anytime you aren’t actively using the water, you should turn it off.
A quick list of times you should be turning off the water include:
- Brushing your teeth – turn the faucet off when you are brushing your teeth
- Hand/face washing – turn the faucet off before drying your hands and face
- Shaving – turn the faucet off when shaving
- Dishwashing by hand – turn off the faucet when washing dishes, turn it back when rinsing
- Or better yet, use the dishwasher!
- Washing the car – turn off the hose when you are washing the car
Use Full Loads in the Clothes Washer and Dishwasher
Clothes Washer
Clothes washers can use between 25 gallons/load for newer washers to 40 gallons/load for older washers.
Try to cut down on the number of loads you run a week by making sure each load is a full load (i.e. filled to the manufacturers recommendations).
Even one less load per week could save you 25-40 gallons a week.
Dishwasher
Dishwashers use 6-16 gallons depending on how old they are. To save money on your water bill, cut down on the number of loads by making sure each load is a full load.
Reducing one load a week could save you up to 16 gallons.
Install Rain Barrels and Use Them to Water the Yard and Garden
Instead of letting all of that water from your roof wash away, you can collect it for later use with rain barrels.
The premise is simple, your gutter system collects and channels the water from your roof into a rain barrel for later use on your lawn, gardens, or indoor plants.
Rain barrels are relatively inexpensive and easy to use.
Also, the combination of gutters and a rain barrel have the added benefit of reducing erosion, especially in those areas directly under your roof eaves.
For more information about rain barrels and proper use and maintenance, please check out the EPA’s rain barrel page.
Water Your Lawn Effectively and Sparingly
If you have a sprinkler system, your first inclination may be to set a schedule and forget about it. However, this doesn’t take into account those days where it rains or when it’s cool and overcast (not as much evaporation).
A good rule of thumb – if you step on your grass and it springs back up when you move your foot, it doesn’t need any water.
Only water your lawn when it needs it. Also, when you do water the lawn, water it long enough for the water to reach the root system where it can be absorbed.
Plant Drought-Resistant Trees and Plants
A good rule of thumb for picking trees and plants is to pick native species. These plants have adapted to the climate in your area, including the amount of rainfall.
These plants will be more likely to survive during normal conditions and should cut down on the amount of extra watering you need to do.
Another thought is to use drought-resistant trees and plants, especially indoors.
These plantings are typically a little more forgiving if you don’t have a proverbial “green thumb”. Also, they’ll use less water in the long run.
Place Mulch Around Trees and Plants to Help Retain Moisture
Mulch slows down the evaporation process, leaving more moisture for trees and plants. This keeps you from having to water your trees and plants as frequently.
Use a Broom to Clean Driveways, Sidewalks, and Steps
Instead of using a water hose or pressure washer, opt for a broom. A broom can take care of most cleaning efforts. If you must use a hose or pressure washer, use it sparingly.
Cut Down on Using the Hose and Sprinklers for Entertainment
This one’s going to be difficult as children (and some adults) love playing in a hose or sprinkler on a hot day.
Instead opt for a community pool or some other free body of water close by like a local lake, beach, river, etc.
How to Save Money on Your Water Bill – Conclusion
These ways to reduce water use are easy to implement and have the potential to save you considerable money on your water bill.
Conserving water doesn’t have to be a major chore. The more you implement these water saving tips, the more it will become habit to apply these different methods and look for some of your own…
How do you save money on your water bill?