Some Tips on Indoor Water Conservation

Taken From the NJDrought Website
  • Repair leaky toilets. A leaky toilet can waste up to 200 gallons of water per day. A toilet leak can be detected by adding a few drops of food coloring to the water in the toilet tank. If the colored water appears in the bowl, the toilet is leaking.
  • Repair leaky pipes and faucets. A slow steady drip can waste 350 gallons of water per month. Not only does this waste water it increases your sewer bill and can increase your energy costs if it is hot water.
  • Turn off faucets when not in use:
    • Do not let the faucet run when shaving, use rinse water in the sink.
    • Do not let the faucet run when brushing your teeth, use a glass of water to rinse.
    • Do not let the faucet run until the water is cold enough to drink, refrigerate a pitcher of water.
    • Do not let the faucet run when rinsing vegetables, use a pan of water or the sink instead.
    • Defrost foods in the refrigerator or microwave rather than under running water.
    • Install water conserving faucet aerators and showerheads.
  • If you do not have a low flow toilet, place a weighted plastic bottle in the tank to displace  a portion of the water, taking care to keep the bottle clear of any moving parts.
  • Take shorter showers or a shower instead of a bath.
  • Run washing machines only when full and on the proper load size selection.
  • Run dishwashers only when full, using the water saver feature if available.
  • If pre-rinsing dishes use the sink and do not let the faucet run.
  • Turn off icemakers and use trays instead.
  • Use paper or recyclable plates and cups to cut down on dishwashing.
  • Use a broom or blower instead of the hose to clean off sidewalks and driveways.
  • If watering don’t water the sidewalks, driveway or street.
  • Don’t water on windy days.
  • Reposition downspouts onto lawn and garden areas rather than sidewalks or the driveway.
  • Use water from the dehumidifier to water household plants.
  • If upgrading appliances or plumbing fixtures choose the ones that conserve water. A high efficiency, front loading washing machine can use 30 percent less water than a top loading model.