There
are numerous, simple ways that you can help conserve water both
at home and at work. Click on the links below to learn more or contact
your local water provider.
Home
Water Efficiency Tips
Bathroom
Kitchen
Laundry
Outdoors
Santa Barbara County , like so many semi-arid areas, has a water supply that
sometimes falls short of demand. Learning to live within our water
supply, and using only what we need, is essential. In Santa Barbara
County, the average amount of water used per person, per day is
148 gallons. With a population close to 400,000 residents, that
adds up to a lot of water! This list of "do it yourself"
conservation practices can help all of us extend our supply of water.
Bathroom
About 45% of a household's total water consumption takes place in
the bathroom: 27% of indoor per capita water use is attributed to
the toilet, 2% is used by the bath and 17% is used by the shower.
Hardware retrofits are the best way to realize long-term savings.
By changing some hardware, you can save hundreds of gallons each
month in the bathroom alone. Here are some key conservation tips
for reducing water use in your bathroom:
Install
a low flow showerhead
- The
shower accounts for approximately 20% of indoor water use, and
30% to 40% of hot water use. Older showerheads put out water at
a rate of 4.5 to 8 gallons per minute (gpm).
- Check out H2ouse.org for tips on tips on where and what to purchase.
- Low-flow
models operate at a range of 1.5 to 2.5 gpm. Low-flow showerheads
are available in a wide range of flow characteristics, so it should
be possible to find a model that suits you.
- Use a wrench or pliers to unscrew the old showerhead.
You may wrap a layer of Teflon tape around the threads. Then screw
on the new showerhead. Use the shut-off valve behind the head
to shut off the water while soaping up without losing the water
temperature when the water is turned on again.
Reduce
the amount of time you spend in the shower.
- Set
a timer, and keep the shower hot for every family member. Shortening
your shower by five minutes can save 20 to 40 gallons of water
per shower. Installing a low flow showerhead with a shut-off valve
can save you even more.
- In
the shower, a lot of water can be wasted while soaping up. Wet
down, turn off the water, soap up and the turn the water on for
rinsing.
Install
a Faucet Aerator
- Water
conserving faucet aerators are available in sizes ranging from
approximately 0.5 gallons per minute (gpm) to 2 gpm. Low-flow
aerators mix air with the water to make an effective spray pattern.
Older lavatory faucets typically operate at 7 gpm, and most new
models operate at 3.5 gpm. So by installing a low-flow aerator
you can save a lot of water. Aerators are also available that
can be turned on and off with the flick of a finger. Those types
of aerators are great for lavatory basins because they are easy
to use and they save water during teeth brushing, shaving, etc.
- Check out H2ouse.org: Water Saver Tour to advice on where and what to buy.
- To
change your aerator, unscrew the old aerator or screen with a
pair of pliers and thread on the new one. Tighten just enough
to prevent leaks from the threaded connection.
- Low
flow aerators mix air with the water to make an effective spray
pattern. Some old style faucets will not accept an aerator. You
can reduce the flow at these faucets by turning down the angle
stop that is located under the basin. However, the spray pattern
will not be as nice as with an aerator. Those old style basin
faucets should be replaced since they use the most water.
Check
Your Toilet for Leaks
A
well-maintained toilet can mean big water savings. Usually, a
100-gallon a day toilet leak is not very noticeable. Put a few
drops of food coloring or toilet tablets in the tank and wait
for 15 minutes. If the water in the bowl changes color, then you
have a leak. A bad leak can send thousands of gallons silently
down the drain. Silently, that is, until you receive your water
bill. - DO
NOT use
a brick in your toilet tank - it may disintegrate and cause problems
in your lines. Instead, consider installing a low-flow toilet
that uses 1.6 gallons per flush.
- Not sure how much water your toilet uses? Click here to find out!
- For at-home, easy repairs and troubleshooting, visit H2ouse.org:Water Saver Tour.
- Get a water check-up from your local water provider, which will include checking your toilets for leaks.
Install
an Ultra Low-flush Toilet (ULFT)
- If
you have an older style toilet, you could be using up to 40% of
your indoor water use in toilet flushing. Older model toilets
will use between 3.5 and 7 gallons per flush. ULFTs are proven
technology and only use 1.6 gallons per flush.
- Over
50,000 ULFTs are in service in Santa Barbara and Goleta. Most
models work very well, with no special problems. Go to H2ouse.org: Water Saver Tour for information on different models that work for you.
- A
high quality ULFT can be purchased for approximately $100 - $150.
Keep
Trash Out of the Toilet
- Every
time you flush a cigarette butt, facial tissue or other small
bit of trash down the toilet, you waste five to seven gallons
of water. Use the wastebasket for disposing of trash.
Turn
off the Water While Brushing Your Teeth
- When
brushing your teeth, only turn the water on to wet the brush.
Make sure to turn it off when brushing. Fill a glass to rinse
your mouth and wash the brush. This can mean the difference between
using a pint of water and wasting several gallons.
Reuse
Bath Water
- Try
washing both of your youngsters in the same tub of water if they
are not too dirty. This saves water and can be fun for the kids.
Re-use bath water for plants and for heavy cleaning jobs.
Rinse
Your Razor in the Sink
- Before
shaving, partially fill the sink with warm water. This will rinse
the blade just as well and use less water.
Kitchen
The kitchen is an excellent place for conservation. Diswhashers
account for about 2% of residential, indoor water use, while faucets
account for another 16%. Be especially conscious of running water
and develop the habit of shutting off the tap whenever possible.
Install
a Faucet Aerator
- Water
conserving faucet aerators are available in sizes ranging from
approximately 0.5 gallons per minute (gpm) to 2 gpm. Low-flow
aerators mix air with the water to make an effective spray pattern.
Older lavatory faucets typically operate at 7 gpm, and most new
models operate at 3.5 gpm. So by installing a low-flow aerator
you can save a lot of water. Aerators are also available that
can be turned on and off with the flick of a finger. Those types
of aerators are great for lavatory basins because they are easy
to use and they save water during teeth brushing, shaving, etc.
- Check out H2ouse.or: Water Saver Tour for advice on where and what to buy.
- To
change your aerator, unscrew the old aerator or screen with a
pair of pliers and thread on the new one. Tighten just enough
to prevent leaks from the threaded connection.
- Low
flow aerators mix air with the water to make an effective spray
pattern. Some old style faucets will not accept an aerator. You
can reduce the flow at these faucets by turning down the angle
stop that is located under the basin. However, the spray pattern
will not be as nice as with an aerator. Those old style basin
faucets should be replaced since they use the most water.
Be
Water Wise When Washing Dishes
- Before
scrubbing your pots and pans, wash them first. Instead of running
water continuously, fill wash and rinse basins with water. Use
a minimum amount of detergent. Add vinegar (1/4 to 1/2 cup) to
dishwater to prevent grease from clinging to dishes, pots and
pans.
- Presoak grills, oven parts, etc., overnight. Wash with an abrasive
scrub brush or pad and use plenty of elbow grease to minimize
water use.
Run
Full Loads of Dishes
- When
using the dishwasher, make sure it is fully-loaded. It also helps
to use a water saving model. Some dishwashers use up to 25 gallons
of water a cycle while newer models may use only 10 gallons. If
you are buying a new dishwasher, shop around to find the machines
that use less water per cycle and are more efficient.
- Many
automatic dishwashers do not require rinsing dishes before loading
the machine, but if yours does, pond water in the sink and soak
them.
Install
a Hot Water On-demand System
- Installing
a hot water on-demand system if the kitchen and bathroom are far
from the water heater can save water. If you choose to install
such a system, select a system that is energy neutral. An on-demand
system that requires a constantly running recirculating pump may
save a little water, but it will waste a lot of energy.
- Visit H2ouse.org: Water Saver Tour for more information on these systems.
Reduce
Evaporation When Cooking
- Boiling
requires very little water if you use a tight fitting lid to conserve
moisture.
- By
steaming you can save all the vitamins and minerals, too. But
if you do boil vegetables, save the water for soups and sauces...
they will be tastier and more nutritious.
Save
Tap Water by Planning Ahead
- Remove
ice cubes from the freezer a few minutes before you need the ice.
The cubes will loosen at room temperature and will save several
quarts of water if they are not run under the tap.
- Don't
quick-thaw meats under the faucet either. Take frozen foods out
of the freezer in time to thaw naturally.
- Keep
a bottle of drinking water in the refrigerator. This ends the
wasteful practice of running tap water to cool it off for drinking.
Use
the Garbage Disposal Less
- Throw
out or compost fruit and vegetable scraps. If you feel it's necessary
to use the garbage disposal, save all the peelings until the end
of cleanup time, and use the dishwasher to help flush them down
the drain.
Properly
Schedule Self-regenerating Water Softeners
- Self-regenerating
water softeners typically use from 35 to 140 gallons of water
per cycle. There are many units on the market that feature water-saving
technology. However, systems that use over 100 gallons of water
per cycle are still being sold. The water use can be reduced by
careful scheduling of regeneration cycles on clock-controlled
models. It should be set to cycle no more than twice a week. Modern
units will have a water meter or hardness sensor to control regeneration.
That way, soft water is produced only as it is needed, and regeneration
is usually more infrequent than clock controlled regeneration.
Laundry
Approximately 22% of all water used in the home is used in the washing
machine, so even a small investment of time and money can pay off
in the long run.
Install
a High Efficiency Washing Machine
- Front-loading
horizontal-axis machines use 1/3 less water than top-loading vertical-access
machines. The standard top-loader uses from 35-55 gallons per
load, whereas a front loader will use from 25-30 gallons per load.
- As
well as saving water, the front-loading machines also save energy.
Front-loading machines still cost more than the U.S. standard
top-loading models, but the price will continue to fall as they
become more available and the demand increases. Click
here for more information on horizontal-axis washing machines.
- Visit H2ouse.org: Water Saver Tour for advice on different models and where to purchase.
Use
the Right Amount of Water for the Load
- Washing
machines use 30-55 gallons per load. Use the load selector to
match the water level to size of the load. If there is no selector,
wash only full loads.
- Presoak
heavily soiled items and always use a minimum amount of detergent.
Re-use
Water
- For
many laundry and household cleaning jobs, a low-sudsing, biodegradable
detergent will result in cleaner rinse water which can be used
again.
Outdoors
Wash
Your Car Without a Hose
- When
washing your car, use a hose nozzle and a bucket. Use a nozzle
on the garden hose to regulate water and turn it off when you're
putting soap on a car. Better yet, take your car to a car wash
that recycles water and prevents the runoff of soapy water into
our creeks and ocean.
Use
a Broom - Not the Hose
- Sweep
off sidewalks, driveways, patios, tennis courts, etc. with a broom
or rake to remove leaves, clippings and debris. Don't hose off!!
Check
Your Hose
- Make
sure hose connections are tight in order to prevent water loss.
Cover
Your Pool
- Keep
the water level low to minimize splashing and install a pool cover
in order to reduce water loss from evaporation.
Teach
Your Children that Your Hose and Sprinkler are Not Toys
- Few
things are more cheerful than the sound of children playing under
a hose or sprinkler on a hot day. Unfortunately, there are also
few things more wasteful of precious water.
