Bathroom Water-Saving Tips
In the typical home, about 50 percent of all water is used in the bathroom for the shower, toilet and sink. In 1991, the Texas Legislature passed a law requiring that all new fixtures sold must include water conserving plumbing devices, such as 1.6 gallons per flush toilets and 2.75 gallons per minute showerheads. |
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Save Water in the Bathroom
Never use your toilet as a waste basket.
Do not let the water run while shaving or brushing teeth.
Take short showers instead of tub baths. Turn off the water flow while soaping or shampooing.
If you must use a tub, close the drain before turning on the water and fill the tub only half full. Bathe small children together.
Never pour water down the drain when there may be another use for it -such as watering a plant or garden. |
Water Efficient Toilets
If your existing toilet uses 3.5 gallons or more per flush, we urge you to consider these water saving tips. Fix Toilet Leaks
- Add a few drops of food coloring to the toilet tank, wait 15 minutes. If the dye appears inside the bowl, then you have a leak. It is time to replace the toilet flapper.
- Install a toilet displacement bottle or bag. Use a 2-liter pop bottle, fill it with water or a few rocks to help weigh it down. You can also obtain a toilet tank bag by calling the Water Hotline at 857-1600.
- Replace existing 3.5, 5 or 7 gallon per flush toilets with a new 1.6 gpf model. You will save in water and wastewater costs.
If your current toilet uses 3.5 gallons or more per flush, we urge you to consider these water saving tips.
Just a few drops of food coloring in the tank, wait 15 minutes. If color appears in the bowl, then you have a leak. Replacing the toilet flapper will do the trick.
Install a toilet displacement bottle or bag.
Use a 2-liter pop bottle, fill with water or a few rocks, or get a toilet bag from the water utility office.
Replace existing 3.5, 5 or 7 gallon per flush toilet with standard 1.6 gallon per flush model. This is your biggest bang for the buck. The more toilets you replace, the greater the savings.
Find out more about the High-Efficiency Toilet Program. |
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In the typical home, 50 percent of all water is used in the bathroom for the shower, toilet and sink. In 1991, the Texas Legislature passed a law requiring all new fixtures sold must include water saving plumbing devices such as 1.7 gallon per flush (gpf) toilets and 2.75 gallon per minut showerheads.
The Texas Water Development Board estimates that if all homes and public buildings used water efficient toilets that use 1.6 gallons of water per flush instead of convention 3.5 to 8 gallons, Texans would save 200 million gallons of water each day.
The average family of four could save $500 or more annually by installing water-efficient toilet, shower and sink fixtures.
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Showerheads
Consider purchasing a high efficiency washing machine which can save over 50% in water and energy use. The average amount of water used with a convention showerhead is 50 gallons (5 gallons per minute flow x 10 minute spend in the shower).
Showerheads sold on the market today use 2.5 gallons per minute.
Therefore, a 10 minute shower uses up only 25 gallons, half the amount of the convention showerhead. What a great way to save water everyday! |
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