indoor water tips


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KITCHEN

  1. When washing dishes by hand, don't let the water run. Fill one basin or a large pot with wash water and the other with rinse water.
  2. Dishwashers typically use less water than washing dishes by hand. ENERGY STAR® dishwashers save even more water and energy.
  3. If your dishwasher is new, cut back on rinsing. Newer models may not require any rinsing.
  4. Designate one glass for your day's drinking needs or fill a water bottle. This will cut down on the number of glasses to wash.
  5. Soak pots and pans instead of letting the water run while you scrape them clean.
  6. Compost fruit and vegetable scraps rather than using the garbage disposal.
  7. Wash your fruits and vegetables in a pan or pot of water instead of running water from the tap. Then, use that water for your plants.
  8. Defrost food in the refrigerator for water efficiency and food safety rather than thawing food under running water.
  9. Keep a pitcher of drinking water in the refrigerator rather than running the tap to get cold water. This way, every drop goes down you and not the drain.
  10. Reuse leftover water from cooked or steamed foods to start a nutritious soup.
  1. Cook food in as little water as possible. This also helps food retain more nutrients.
  2. Select the proper pan size for cooking. Large pans may require more cooking water than necessary.
  3. If you accidentally drop ice cubes, don't throw them in the sink. Drop them in a house plant or your pet's water bowl instead.
  4. When shopping for a new dishwasher, compare water usage between models and consider ENERGY STAR® or WaterSense labelled models.
A tap that drips once per second can waste 10,000 litres of water in one year.

LAUNDRY ROOM

  1. When doing laundry, match the water level to the size of the load.
  2. Washing clothes in cold water saves water and energy, and helps your clothes retain their colour.
  3. When shopping for a new washing machine, consider comparing water usage between models and always consider ENERGY STAR® or WaterSense labelled models.
  4. Have a plumber re-route your greywater to trees and plants rather than the sewer line.

BATHROOM

  1. If your shower fills a four litre (one gallon) bucket in less than 20 seconds, replace the showerhead with a WaterSense® or ENERGY STAR labeled model.
  2. Shorten your shower by a minute or two and you'll save up to 565 litres (149 gallons) per month.
  3. Time your shower to keep it under five minutes. You'll save up to 3,785 litres (1,000 gallons) per month.
  4. Toilet leaks can be silent! Be sure to test your toilet for leaks at least once a year. Put food coloring in your toilet tank. If it seeps into the bowl without flushing, there's a leak. Fix it and start saving water and money.
  5. When running a bath, plug the bathtub before turning on the water. Adjust the temperature as the tub fills.
  6. If your toilet flapper doesn't close properly after flushing, replace it. (Check out the Do It Yourself section for step by step instructions.)
  7. Turn off the water while you brush your teeth and save up to 15 litres (four gallons)  a minute. That's up to 757 litres (200 gallons) a week for a family of four.
  1. Shopping for a new toilet? Consider buying a dual-flush toilet. It has two flush options: a half-flush for liquid waste and a full-flush for solid waste. Look for water-saving WaterSense® or ENERGY STAR labeled models.
  2. Plug the sink instead of running the water to rinse your razor and save up to 1,136 litres (300 gallons) of water a month.
  3. When washing your hands, turn the water off while you lather.
  4. Take five minute showers instead of baths. A full bathtub requires up to 265 litres (70 gallons) of water.
  5. Install water-saving aerators on all of your faucets.
  6. Drop tissues in the trash instead of flushing them and save water every time.
  7. One drip every second adds up to 19 litres (five gallons) per day! Check your faucets and showerheads for leaks.
  8. While you wait for hot water, collect the running water and use it to water plants.