Every Drop Counts

A utility management program using sub metering or RUBS billing can have a tremendous impact on your ability to recover utilities costs.

Property managers, property owners and tenants can all focus together to help conserve water usage and pay for a more accurate reading. Submetering water per unit will also identify problems such as dripping faucets, water leaks and running toilets. Submetered consumers that are responsible for their own usage use less, so save money now!

Dishwasher Water Saving Tips
Run only full loads in the washing machine or dishwasher. SAVE: 300 to 800 gallons a month

1. Run full loads of dishes only.
2. Install a new ENERGY STAR high-efficiency model to save water and energy.
3. Don’t rinse the dishes. Pre-rinsing is not required with many new dishwashers. Read the instruction manual for your machine to determine if you can minimize rinse water usage.

Kitchen and Bathroom Faucets are Among the Easiest Places to Save

Water
While waiting for hot water, capture running tap water for later use on household plants or in your garden. SAVE: 200 to 300 gallons a month

There are two basic rules to follow:

1. Shut off faucets whenever possible.
2. Make sure your faucets don’t drip or leak.

Faucet water use accounts for 15-18% of the overall water consumption inside the typical household of four persons. An average American household of 3 uses between 18.1 and 26.7 gallons (68.5 and 101.1 L) per day for all faucets (bathroom, kitchen, and utility sink).  This amounts to between 6,600 and 9,750 gallons (25 and 36.9 m 3 ) per household per year for faucet use. The main difference between a house that uses 9,750 gallons (36.9 m 3 ) and 6,600 (25 m 3 ) gallons per year is the flow rate of installed faucet aerators.  Reduce the faucet flow rate; save water.

Frugal Flushing
Toilet flushing is the single highest use of water in the average home, so it also presents a prime opportunity for water conservation. With the average person flushing five times a day, toilets make up about 31% of overall household water consumption.

There are lots of ways to conserve toilet water use, from habit changes and mechanical adjustments to replacement. Home Water Works gives you the information you need to maximize toilet water use efficiency in your home.

Toilet Water Saving Tips

1. Install a new WaterSense labeled high efficiency toilet (HET) model to save water.
2. Do not use the toilet as a trash can. Trash should be discarded in the garbage.
3. If you hear the water running in the toilet tank for an unusual length of time, a simple adjustment can return it to normal operation.
4. If your toilet has a water line indicator on the tank, make sure the water is at or below this line when the toilet refills.
5. If your home has a dual flush toilet try to use the light flush option when appropriate.

Showers Vs Baths
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), a full bathtub requires about 70 gallons of water, while taking a five-minute shower uses 10 to 25 gallons.

Additional information on all water wasters: https://www3.epa.gov/watersense/pubs/fixleak.html