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Water conservation tips

Reducing the amount of water you use not only helps conserve resources, but it can help conserve your dollars! High water bills are often the result of water that is wasted completely unbeknownst to us.

Tips to save the earth and your pocketbook

  • Fix leaky faucets. A steady faucet drip can waste 20 gallons of water a day.
  • Fix toilet leaks. Plumbing leaks as a whole account for 14 percent of water consumed in the home, according to a study sponsored by the American Water Works Association.
  • Turn off the water while you brush your teeth and save 4 gallons a minute. That's 200 gallons a week!
  • Make your next washing machine a water-saver.
  • Replace older toilets with low-flow models.
  • Install water-saving showerheads.
  • When washing dishes by hand, use a sink full of soapy water -- don't let the water run.
  • Water lawns during the early morning when temperatures are lowest. This reduces evaporation and waste.
  • Operate automatic dishwashers and clothes washers only when they are fully loaded or set the water level for the size of load you are using.
  • Install water-saving aerators on household faucets.
  • Use mulch to retain moisture in the soil. Mulch also helps control weeds that compete with landscape plants for water.
  • Chill drinking water in the refrigerator instead of running the faucet until the water is cold.

Additional information

If you'd like more information about water-saving tips, visit NYSDEC's website or the USEPA's conservation website