How to Reduce Water Waste in the Bathroom

Feel like your water bill is unusually high? The solutions may be simpler than you think. One of the most common questions we hear from our residential plumbing customers is “How can I reduce water waste in the bathroom?” The tips below will help you cut back on your water usage and hopefully save you money when your next bill comes in!

Upgrade to a Low-Flow Shower Head

Your shower head plays a big role in controlling the amount of water you use during your shower. By upgrading your current head to a more efficient model, you may be able to cut back on the amount of water that goes down the drain. You can still enjoy long, luxurious showers, but you won’t make as big of a footprint on the environment when you do.

Install a High Efficiency Toilet

Another great way to reduce water waste in a bathroom is to install a high-efficiency toilet. These models are designed to use as little water as possible to flush and clean the toilet in between sittings. Standard toilets can use as much as 7 gallons per flush, but most low-flow toilets are made to use less than 2 gallons. This will make a big difference when you think about how often your toilet gets flushed each day.

Turn off the Water When You Brush Your Teeth

Rather than letting the water run while you brush your teeth, shut it off and turn it back on when you’re ready to rinse. Most people spend about two minutes brushing their teeth, which means that you could be letting two minutes’ worth of water go down the drain twice a day. Multiply that by the number of people in your household, and you can quickly see the savings.

Repair Leaky Plumbing and Fixtures to Reduce Water Waste

Leaky pipes, toilets, faucets, and other fixtures can lead to tremendous water waste over time. It’s important to have your plumbing inspected at least once a year, especially if you notice a sudden spike in your water bill. This could be a result of a leak somewhere in the system, which is best repaired at the first signs. This reduces the amount of damage incurred from the leak, and it could save you a ton of money in plumbing repairs.

Take Shorter Showers

This may seem like a no-brainer solution, but even one or two minutes or shortened shower time will save a lot of water over the course of the week. Try to monitor how long you’re in the shower, and make the most of your time in there. An easy way to keep track of this is to play music while you’re in the shower. Keep track of the number of songs that play while you’re in there, and assume that each one is about 3-5 minutes. The average person can get out of a shower in 5 songs or less, depending on their size and hygiene requirements.

Take Showers, Not Baths

Most bathtubs take a minimum of 35 gallons of water to fill up, but some go as high as 50 gallons or more. By comparison, a shower with a low-flow shower head only requires about 25 gallons of water. Try to take baths only when you need to, like when you’re sick or in need of total body muscle relaxation. Take a shower for your day-to-day cleaning needs.