Last Updated on May 30, 2021
This is my complete guide to how to save money on water bills.
In this all-new guide you’ll learn:
- why saving water is crucial
- how to use less water and lower your water bill
- clever hacks to lower water consumption whether you live in an apartment building or a house
- how much money you can save on water
So if you want to save money on your water bill, you’ll love today’s guide.
Let’s get started!
Why Saving Water Is Crucial?
Clean water is the most important natural resource on Earth and it is necessary for the sustenance of human life.
Although almost 71% of the Earth’s surface consists of water, many regions of the world suffer from a shortage of clean water.
Without conservation efforts, this vital supply of water may be exhausted.
We need to use less and save more freshwater.
According to the U.S Department of Energy, the average Joe uses between 302 and 378 liters of water per day.
Because we take water for granted, we forget how much water we use for simple tasks like washing our hands, taking showers, washing laundry, and other household tasks.
Let’s put things into perspective.
According to the NGWA, less than 0.3% of the water on Earth is usable by humans.
And using 302 to 378 liters of water per day means roughly 110,230 liters per year.
That’s 110,230 liters out of that 0.3%. Per person.
Makes you think differently about running the shower a few extra minutes, doesn’t it?
Water is a limited resource and it is required in almost everything we do.
We need water to drink, cook, stay clean, and wash almost everything from our clothes to our cars and food.
And speaking of food; it cannot grow without water. And the list goes on…
Being a responsible water user is more important than ever.
The first step to conserving water is to look at daily habits and make changes that will minimize or eliminate water waste.
How to Use Less and Save Money On Water Bills
Now that you know that water is a precious resource that we cannot afford to waste, let’s have a look at ways you can conserve and save money on water bills.
The simplest way is to use water prudently and among the best strategies is avoiding and reducing wastages.
This sounds like a common-sense approach.
But in this post, I’m going to cover methods that can cut your water usage and lower your water bill whether they are common sense or not.
Sometimes we have to hear or read about something and then realize that it’s actually a trivial thing we could’ve done before.
Anyway, most of these changes aren’t going to have a massive impact by themselves, but when done together you’re definitely going to see some savings!
Let’s start with a method that changed my life for the better and saved me a lot of money!
Stop Buying Bottled Water
I stopped buying bottled water many years ago and it is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made when it comes to saving money and keeping the environment clean.
I used to buy bottled water because tap water wasn’t an option for me back then.
It got dirt, stones, and other impurities and the taste was disgusting. Tap water was simply a health hazard.
Bottled water was the safest option.
Or so I thought…
I started spending about $20 a month on bottled water.
I had to go to the store every weekend or so and carry big bulks of plastic bottles with me home.
Besides, my house was filled with empty plastic bottles that I couldn’t recycle because there was no recycling point in my neighborhood.
Needless to say, it was an unpleasant experience.
I was spending $240 only on drinking water which I think is too much.
Fortunately, I got rid of this bad habit and managed to save a lot of money.
Now I spend about $75 on drinking water and I don’t have to make trips to the store and carry with me bulky bottles of water.
Another advantage is that I reduced my carbon footprint by not buying plastic bottles that I can’t even recycle.
So in the end I save $165 a year on drinking water, which I think is amazing!
That’s 68% in savings!
And you may ask yourself: but, Carol, if I were not to buy bottled water anymore, how can I hydrate myself while hiking or zig-zagging my way through the concrete jungle?
Well, I’m glad to answer this question that you probably wouldn’t have asked in the first place because the answer is pretty simple.
You can buy reusable containers to carry drinking water with you.
Ok, I told you I now save a lot of money by not buying bottled water but I didn’t tell you how I did it.
I started to…
Drink Filtered Water
Filtered water is tap water that has been purified so that is safe for drinking.
The way the water is filtered depends on the type of filtration system and the filtered brands.
But overall, they provide the same clean, safe drinking water.
There are many reasons why I switched to filtered water instead of drinking from plastic bottles from the store.
The main reason is that filtered water is cheaper, but let’s go over some more reasons why it is a great choice for you.
👍 The Advantages of Drinking Filtered Water
Odor-free water
As I said earlier, my tap water was disgusting, to say the least.
Your tap water might not be as dirty as it was mine but I bet you probably noticed a funny smell in it.
That odor is chlorine.
It is used by municipalities to kill bacteria that are in the water.
Well, filtered water removes all the impurities from water including chlorine and other contaminants. So there is no smell when you pour yourself a glass of water.
Filtered Water Is Healthy
Herbicides and pesticides that are used in farming make their way into the lakes and rivers which makes filtering the water even harder.
The municipal water filtration system takes out certain chemical and physical particles that are not good for humans to ingest, but sadly this process also destroys healthy minerals that are good for us.
In contrast, filtered water brands can leave these good minerals in the filtered water.
Is Budget Friendly
Even though the cost for a filtration system might seem high upfront, it quickly becomes a money-saving investment very quickly.
I’m spending 68% less money on water since I started drinking filtered water!
Tastes Better
The day I bought the water filter jug I compared the taste of tap water and bottled water with that of filtered water.
I was expecting the filtered water to taste like tap water or maybe just slightly better.
But my taste buds were telling me that the filtered water tastes even better than the bottled water!
It’s fantastic!
Water At Your Discretion
One of the best advantages of filtered water is that you can get it when you need it.
You don’t have to buy in bulk or stash away empty plastic bottles, hoping you will recycle them.
And even better, you won’t run out of it as long as you have running tap water and the water filter is functioning.
👎 The Disadvantages of Filtered Water
Now let’s have a look at some of the disadvantages of filtered water.
I’ve been drinking filtered water for years now and I can think of only two disadvantages.
And these two have to do with cost and maintenance and not with the quality of water.
Initial Costs Can Be High
Even so, many budget-friendly systems on the market suit every pocket.
You don’t have to spend thousands of dollars on something you can’t afford because you can still get excellent filtered water from less expensive systems.
You Will Need to Replace the Filters
Once you have purchased the filtration system, the other recurring cost is with water filters because they need to be replaced periodically.
Water Filters and How They Work
But before you decide on buying a water filter, you should understand the different types and how they work.
I’m going to cover just a few types of water filtration and then we’re going over the various filters available.
Let’s take a closer look!
Water is amazingly good at dissolving things thanks to its unusual molecule structure.
A single, large drop of water weighing 0.1g contains about 0.33 x 1021 molecules.
Each molecule of water is made up of three atoms: two hydrogen atoms locked in a sort of triangle with one oxygen atom, thus the well-known chemical formula, H2O.
The slightly imbalanced structure of the molecules means they attract and stick to many different substances. That’s why all kinds of things dissolve in water.
So if you want to be sure that the water you’re about to drink hasn’t picked up all kinds of nasty things along the way to your glass, you should run it through a water filter.
There are essentially two types of filters:
- Physical filtration
- Chemical filtration
Let’s take a dive and see how each of these filters work!
Physical Filtration
This type of filtration system works when water passes through a physical filter.
It traps impurities that you don’t want to be in the drink like general debris such as leaves or sediment and even substances that are invisible to the naked eye.
It basically acts as a sieve.
When you’re shopping for a mechanical filter, you’ll notice a measurement given in microns.
That is the size of the particles that specific filter traps.
For example, if the only problem you have with your tap water is that it’s brown, you’ll be fine with a 5-micron filter, designed to remove sediments.
But if you need to remove giardia parasites (they cause diarrhea) from your drinking water, you’ll need a 0.5-micron filter.
Chemical Filtration
It works when water passes through an activated substance, which will trigger a chemical reaction and remove contaminants from the water stream.
You can use this system to remove pesticides, nitrates, heavy metals, chlorine, and other impurities.
If you’re trying to improve the taste and odor of your tap water, these water filtration systems are a good choice.
Popular Methods of Filtration
Now let’s find out the most common types of residential water filters and popular methods used in water filtration and purification.
I’ll also point out the pros and cons of each type so you’ll have a better idea of what would be best for your home.
Most of the time, a water filtration system is a combination of two or more methods and materials.
Activated Alumina
Activated alumina is made of aluminum oxide (Al2O3) and if this sounds a bit familiar it’s because 💎 sapphires and rubies have the same chemical formula – without their coloring elements.
This material is effective in removing fluoride, arsenic, and selenium from drinking water.
With many pores on its surface, alumina can reduce up to 99% of fluoride concentrations in normal fluoridated water.
Some people believe that activated alumina adds aluminum to water, but this is not entirely true.
Even if this happens, the contamination levels are lower than the relevant limits, according to the EFSA journal in 2006.
🟩 Pros:
-
Capable of removing a variety of substances including excessive fluoride, arsenic, and selenium
- Cost-effective
🟥 Cons:
- Limited lifespan
- Requires careful disposal
- Effectiveness can vary depending on pH levels
Activated Carbon
Activated carbon filters are some of the most common water filters you’ll find.
These systems use a process called absorption to extract impurities from water. Contaminants are naturally attracted to carbon, so they adhere to it as water passes through the filter.
This type of filtration is a popular choice for smaller home systems such as water pitchers and faucet filters.
The filters are typically inexpensive and easy to find, but you’ll have to replace them periodically. This depends on the quality of the product and how often you use the system.
🟩 Pros:
- Inexpensive
- Does not require electricity to work or installation
- Improves the taste of drinking water
- Removes harmful impurities
- Widely available
🟥 Cons:
- Need to be replaced periodically
- Does not remove all contaminants
- Slow filtration
Ceramic Filters
The ceramic filters use tiny pores on a ceramic surface to filter bacteria and sediment out of drinking water.
It can be installed in households or used as a portable filtration device.
They can be gravity-fed, under-sink, countertop, or even used in light industrial processes.
The ceramic filtration system is one of the most economical filtration options available and it is far more environmentally friendly than relying on bottled water.
The ceramic filters themselves can be cleaned and reused, reducing the number of replacement filters that you need to purchase.
Because they typically use 0.5-micron filtration, are easy to maintain, and are low cost, they make excellent countertop or under-sink filters in households. The gravity-fed filter can provide you with clean water when you’re on the move or in your kitchen.
It doesn’t take a lot of space and it’s a perfect solution if you live in a small apartment.
🟩 Pros:
- Extremely affordable
- Accessible everywhere
- Effective in removing bacteria and protozoa
- Long lifespan if cared for properly
- Doesn’t require electricity
- Simple to set up and use
🟥 Cons:
- Less effective at eliminating viruses
- Need to be cleaned regularly
- Ceramic parts can break easily
Distillation
Distillation is a process of water purification with very high efficiency.
This process involves boiling water into steam in one chamber and then condensing it back into a liquid in a separate compartment. The heat kills microbes like bacteria, and the vaporizing process leaves heavy metals and other harmful materials behind.
This filtration system is oftentimes used in countertop distillers to make drinking water for small families.
Distillation doesn’t remove contaminants that have a lower boiling point than water, and it can remove healthy minerals.
🟩 Pros:
- Removes heavy metals
- Kills bacteria and other pathogens
- Removes fluoride
- Improves taste and smell of the treated water
- No replacement needed
🟥 Cons:
- Expensive
- Doesn’t remove all contaminants
- Takes up a lot of space
- Removes healthy minerals
- Very slow. Takes a lot of time to produce a small amount of pure water.
- Requires electricity to work
Reverse Osmosis
This method of filtering uses pressure to reverse the natural process of osmosis. forcing the water through a membrane with small pores.
These pores allow water to run through, but keep the contaminants outside, which afterward are flushed away.
Reverse osmosis requires you to use clean water in the process, so it ends up wasting some water.
These filters tend to cost more than other types of filters.
But for this cost, reverse osmosis does remove almost all contaminants, and the systems are usually convenient.
Reverse osmosis filters are typically used in households as under-sink and countertop filters.
🟩 Pros:
- Highly effective in removing pollutants, parasites, and viruses
- Doesn’t require electricity
- Improves water’s taste
- Convenient to use
🟥 Cons:
- Expensive
- Requires frequent maintenance
- Leads to wasted water
- Requires high water pressure
- Removes minerals
Ultraviolet Filtration
This process uses UV radiation to kill harmful microorganisms that may be in the water by damaging their cellular function.
UV light is one of the safest and most effective ways to treat viruses, bacteria, and protozoa in water.
UV filtration systems may be expensive to buy and install, but they require little maintenance and don’t use a lot of energy.
While they are safe and environmentally friendly, they do not remove contaminants like heavy metals or other suspended solids.
Moreover, non-organic contaminants can obstruct the light, which makes this system not very effective if the water has high concentrations of sediments and pollutants.
Therefore, UV light cannot thoroughly purify water on its own, so you’d have to use it in combination with another method. It works best as the final stage in a system to treat microorganisms in the water that’s been filtered and has become clean and clear.
🟩 Pros:
- Extremely effective at removing microbes
- Energy-efficient
- Environmentally friendly
🟥 Cons:
- Cannot purify drinking water on its own
- Requires electricity to operate
- High initial cost
Infrared Filtration
Like UV filters, infrared filtration systems do not remove all contaminants, so they can’t produce pure drinking water independently.
Infrared filters differ from UV filters in that they can soften water.
Water that is high in calcium and magnesium can decrease the effectiveness of soaps or clog pipes over time. Infrared light removes these minerals, softening the water.
Two studies published in 2007 by Pr. dr. med. Gerd Hoffman [1] and in 2014 by Dr. R. Winkel, Prof. Dr. med G. Hoffman, and Prof. Dr. R. Hoffman [2] investigated the impact of infrared filtered water on wound healing.
They’ve found out that the water-filtered infrared-A (wIRA) promotes the healing of acute and chronic wounds both by thermal and thermic as well as by non-thermal and non-thermic effects.
However, in these studies, I didn’t find anything that says that the benefits of healing also apply to infrared-treated drinking water. I am not a doctor nor a physician so if you want to find out more on this subject you’d better contact your healthcare provider.
🟩 Pros:
- Effective at removing microbes
- Softens water
- Easy to install
- Can promote wound healing
🟥 Cons:
- Does not entirely purify water by itself
- Costs can be high
Types of Water Filters and Purifiers for Household Use
Now that you are familiar with the popular methods of filtration, let’s go over different types of water filters and purifiers intended for household use.
Today, water filters come in many different varieties that give you plenty of choices about how you’d like your water to be purified.
These vary greatly in price, speed, filter lifespan, capacity, and more.
Remember that no matter which filter you choose to buy, you still save money on water bills in the end.
Since there are so many options to choose from, I’ve written a list to quickly compare the most commonly used water filters to help you decide which one might be the best choice for you.
Water Pitcher Filters
Thanks to their low cost and portability, water filter pitchers are among the most common types of water filters used in households.
A typical water filter pitcher has two parts.
At the center of the upper half is a filter filled mostly with activated carbon, where you will pour water in to be treated.
The filtered water will drop down to the lower part of the container, and you can pour it out for use from there.
Compared to other types of water filters, they have a somewhat limited capacity, usually between six and ten cups. Some larger ones may hold up to 23 cups of filtered water with a push-button nozzle that’s designed to stay in the fridge except to fill.
Due to their limited capacity, water filter pitchers are mainly used to purify tap water for drinking and cooking. They’re also a safe and convenient way to get clean water when you’re outdoors.
As I mentioned earlier, I’ve been using a water pitch filter for years now and they do wonders for a small family.
Thanks to these filters, I’ve managed to save 68% of the money I used to buy bottled water.
Faucet Water Filters
These faucet mount filters are gadgets that can be installed directly onto your tap.
They will have a pass-through that allows your sink to flow freely when the filter isn’t in use.
This is much faster and a whole lot more convenient than a water filter pitcher, which excels at the same job but at a slower pace.
Most faucet filters are modest in size and extremely easy to install, making them a great choice for everyone living in an apartment or small house.
Since it comes straight from your main water line, you’ll have an unlimited capacity, enabling you to produce as much filtered water as you need.
When it comes to the mechanism that makes water filters work, there are two types: reverse osmosis and activated carbon.
Similar to water pitcher filters, they’re low cost, portable, and are among the most common types of water filters used in households.
They’re one of the best ways to save money on water bills when it comes to water filtering.
Countertop Filters
A countertop water filter can be installed exactly where you need access to water.
Some countertop filters attach directly to your faucet and dispense clean water right in your kitchen while others are portable with gravity-fed designs that can be taken to a camping trip with ease.
They are designed to take up minimal space and do not require extensive plumbing connections to operate.
Moreover, they can filter water quickly even with only moderate water pressure in the house.
Countertop filters use various filtration types to eliminate contaminants and restore the taste of your water such as:
- activated carbon filters
- ceramic filters
- ultrafiltration
- water distillers
Each filtration type removes a different set of contaminants and by different processes.
They can have varying price points, and come in a range of styles.
Before you buy this type of filter, it is important to consider a handful of factors:
- You have to understand what’s in your water
- You need to examine the product’s design
- Consider the maintenance of the filter
- Think about where you want the filter to be installed to blend harmoniously within the room
Under-sink Filters
The under-sink water filter is one of the most popular choices among homeowners for several reasons.
In addition to them being affordable, they are easily installed by almost anyone and have very little maintenance.
There are several important factors to consider when choosing the best under-sink water filter for you:
- flow rate
- size and filtering capacity
- micron ratings
- ease of installation and filter change
- filter cartridge longevity
- warranty and support
Under-sink filters can have different water filter systems such as reverse osmosis, ultrafiltration, and carbon filters.
The best under sink water filters should suit your space, capacity, and installation needs while providing easy access to clean water.
Whole House Filters
Whole-house filters are the largest and most expensive type of water filter.
At several times the price of most other filters, they’re designed to purify all of the water for your whole home.
They may require modifications to plumbing and professional maintenance.
These systems take the water that enters your home from a single source and treat it to remove these various harmful contaminants.
When buying one, you should think about the source of your water and likely contaminants you may find.
Some systems treat things like lead or iron better than others. For hard sediments like calcium, you will also want something with a built-in water softener using salt or a salt-free process.
Or if you want to retain some of the healthy minerals in the water, keep an eye out for options with a remineralization process.
This filtering method is best for property owners who are looking for a long-term investment in water purification.
It is one of the best ways to save money on water bills and increase your quality of life.
Water Bottle Filters
Last but not least, water bottle filters are some of the smallest and most inexpensive filters available.
They also have a very small capacity since you’re limited to the size of the bottle.
These often feature a filter straw you drink through that filters the water on its way to your mouth.
It is worth noting that not all filtered water bottles are made equal.
Some filter out impurities such as heavy metals, viruses, and bacteria while others stick to filtering general debris or sediments.
The market is also full of these products and you can find them at many retailers for a low-cost way to have filtered drinking water anywhere you need.
There are many different types of water filters available on the market and it can be hard to decide which one to choose.
You should do your own research and look for the type of water filter that best suits your needs.
No matter the situation, there is always a water filter available that suits your needs and help you save money on your water bill.
I hope this part of the guide helped you get acquainted with the popular methods of water filtration, types of water filters, and how they work.
Now let’s go further to other ways you can save money on your water bill!
Re-use Towels
The towel you use to dry after a shower does not need to be laundered after each use, so hang it up and re-use it instead.
Washing your household’s towels when they actually need to be washed is a much better use of water than daily loads.
But how often to wash the towels?
The American Cleaning Institute recommends washing bath towels after three uses.
If you shower every day, that means you do the laundry almost twice a week.
The best way to prevent germs from growing on your bath towel is to let it dry completely between each use.
But some circumstances call for washing your bath towels more frequently than twice a week:
- Any towel that has body fluid on it should be washed after only one use
- Gym towels that sop up sweat or towels that stay damp in your gym bag for a few hours should be washed after one use
- Towels kept in a bathroom that’s usually damp and don’t dry fully should be washed after one use
- If you have eczema or sensitive skin, wash all of your towels after one use to prevent further irritation
As a rule of thumb, frequently washing your towels and letting them dry before re-using or throwing them in the basket is always a good idea.
Now that you know how often you should re-use your towels and how often to wash them, you can optimize the use and washing process and save money on the water bill.
Use Less Hot Water to Wash Your Laundry
You don’t have to use hot water to get your clothes clean.
Washing machines and detergents are not like they used to be 20 years ago.
Newer washers are much better at cleaning now.
Heating water accounts for about 90 percent of the energy needed to run a washer, so the less hot water used, the more water and energy saved.
Run Full Loads
Rather than running many small loads of laundry, save them to run larger, fuller loads instead.
Every time the machine is used, you’re consuming water, so consolidating washes will be more efficient.
However, try not to fill the washer machine to the brim because clothes might not wash properly.
Moreover, you can take advantage of your washer’s options and settings and adjust the size cycles accordingly.
Upgrade to an Efficient Washing Machine
Washing machine water usage depends on the age of your washing machine, the model you are using, what you are washing, and how much you are washing.
Generally speaking, new high-efficiency washing machines offer greater water efficiency than older machines.
High-efficiency washers use 52 liters of water per load, while a standard washing machine uses 75 liters of water per load.
So a high-efficiency washing machine can save you up to 23 liters of water per load compared to a regular washer.
Moreover, the type of your washing machine does matter when it comes to saving water.
Front-loading washing machines can use up to 70% less water than the same size top loader.
That’s because they’re able to wash clothes by picking them up and dropping them into the wash water repeatedly, unlike top loaders which wash clothes by having them float around in the water.
Wash cycles, load size, and rinse settings can also affect your washing machine’s water usage:
- Larger loads require more water
- Bulky items like bedding, jackets, and coats require more water for proper cleaning
- Heavy-duty cycles may use more water than normal cycles
- Certain rinse settings will cause your washer to use more water
Fix Dripping Faucets
Are you willing to pay for water you’ll never use?
Most probably not!
When many of us see a dripping faucet, we don’t get overly concerned about it even though we should.
A slow drip from a faucet can waste more water than you might expect.
A single faucet shedding 10 drips per minute wastes almost 3 liters of water every day, or 1095 liters a year.
And most of the time the cause is a worn rubber part inside a faucet that can be easily fixed.
Fix Leaking and Continually Running Toilets
Similar to dripping faucets, leaking or continually running toilets would waste a lot of water and drive up your bill.
A toilet leak can waste up to 1100 liters of water per day.
There are two most common causes when it comes to toilet leaking:
- Ineffective flush valve system
- Fill valve problems
How can you tell if the toilet is leaking?
A simple leak test can be performed by placing a toilet tablet into the toilet tank once the filling has stopped.
Wait for a period of 10 minutes, and then check for color in the bowl.
If color emerges, you have a leak problem that needs to be fixed right away.
The toilet tablet is very inexpensive.
But if you don’t want to buy those, you can always color the water yourself with products around the household. Just make sure they’re safe to use.
Never Boil More Water Than You Need
No matter if you are a coffee or tea drinker, it is never a good idea to boil more water than you need.
Only fill the kettle with just enough water for what you’ll actually need.
This will save you water, electricity and time too.
If you happen to boil more water than it was needed, don’t pour it away.
Let it cool and water the flowers with it.
Use an Energy-Efficient Dishwasher
It may be hard to believe, but an energy-efficient dishwasher is a greener choice than hand washing your dishes.
However, as with your washing machine, you should only use your dishwasher if it’s full.
If you run the dishwasher while it’s not full, you can end up using more water and more energy than if you’d washed them up by hand.
Getting the dishes clean in the sink can use up to 102 liters of water per load, while an efficient dishwasher can use as little as 11 liters.
Let’s find out why!
Most newer dishwashers have heaters inside that warm up water more efficiently than your water heater and it can use less than half the energy of washing dishes by hand.
Moreover, you don’t have to rinse the dishes before sticking them in the dishwasher.
Most newer washers can handle bits of food. Your dishes will still come clean as long as you scrape the big stuff into the trash.
And if you are not yet convinced that the dishwasher is still a good idea, consider this: it takes water that is 60 – 62 degrees Celcius (140 – 145 Fahrenheit) to fully sanitize dishes.
Your hands can endure this temperature mostly for 5 seconds. More than that and it will cause discomfort and most likely even burns.
Use a Washing Up Bowl
If you don’t have a dishwasher in your house, you’ll need to wash up by hand.
And rather than washing straight in the basin, a washing bowl might be a good idea.
Washing up bowls are, by their nature, smaller than the sink itself – and a smaller container means less water is required to fill it up.
This can save you up to more than 100 liters of water per month.
Take Shorter Showers
Showering is one of the most relaxing things to do when you get home from a long day.
But did you know that it is considered wasteful if you take a shower for more than 6 minutes?
A 10 minutes shower can use up to 190 liters of water.
It also takes a lot of energy to heat the water.
Shortening your shower time just a bit can really make a big difference if you want to save money on the water bill and have a less negative impact on the environment.
There are many tips you can implement to keep the time in the shower shorter.
Here’s some:
- Time yourself
- Prepare the products beforehand
- Place the valves in the correct position to get the water flow and temperature just right so you don’t have to adjust them on the fly
- Shave before shower
- Shower like a navy/soldier
Reduce Toilet Flushes
Toilets without dual flush buttons (which let you choose how much water to flush) use an average of about 6 liters of water every single flush.
Generally speaking, the older the toilet, the more water it uses.
Toilets built before 1993 use up to 13 liters of water.
If your toilet doesn’t have concealed cistern, there’s a cool trick you can put into practice if you want to save more water.
You can reduce the amount of water used by putting a brick or a sand-filled bottle in the toilet cistern. This will reduce the amount of water in each flush without affecting any of the pressure.
However, using bricks could lead to problems as the brick disintegrates over time, potentially affecting the flush mechanism.
That’s why I’d go with a bottle filled with sand or even water.
Water Heater Wait Time
If you are waiting for the hot water to kick in before you step into the shower, you probably don’t want that water to go to waste.
That cold water can be stored in empty bottles or even used for other household stuff like watering the flowers, cleaning up the windows, flushing the toilet, and so on.
Wash Your Car at a Self Wash
You might have heard that it’s cheaper to wash cars at home rather than using a car wash.
While you might part with a few dollars at the car wash, you could potentially pay more at home.
If you leave the hose running while you wash and you have a meter, you’re going to pay for that water usage.
Moreover, you have to buy cleaning products and maybe other professional devices and that could easily add up.
It may be cheaper to wash the car at a self-wash point.
But if you want to do it at home, go the old way and just use a bucket and a sponge to cut costs.
Fix the Water Meter
If you have a water meter in the house and you see a huge water bill and you haven’t changed your usage, you might have a broken water meter.
To figure out if you have a broken meter, you can turn off your water and check your meter.
If it still shows usage, you should contact your water provider and get it fixed.
Turn Off the Water While You Brush Your Teeth
When it’s time to brush your teeth, simply run the water just enough to wet your toothbrush and immediately turn it back off again.
But did you know that you don’t need to wet your toothbrush at all to brush your teeth?
The saliva in your mouth is completely sufficient to activate the toothpaste.
Water actually dilutes your toothpaste, making it less effective.
Save water and get the most out of your toothpaste by starting your brushing with a dry toothbrush.
Only brush your teeth for the necessary duration, spit into the sink, and then run the water just enough to rinse your toothbrush and wash the toothpaste down the drain.
It’s a common habit to let the water run while you brush, but the water going down the drain is simply wasted, and it’s more than you might think.
Turn Off the Water While You Scrub
Washing your hands with soap and water is the most important thing you can do to stop the spread of viruses such as COVID-19.
To save water, turn off the tap while you scrub!
Wet your hands before adding soap.
Then turn off the running water and scrub for at least 20 seconds, and then rinse.
This may seem like a small amount of water saved, but in the end, it really adds up!
Install High-Efficiency Faucet Aerators
A faucet aerator is a small, round device that you can screw onto the tip of your faucet to create a more consistent, splash-free stream of water.
Aerators usually create a mixture of water and air, making the stream smoother.
It improves the flow of the water and helps it feel softer to the touch.
By introducing small bubbles to the water, the faucet aerator allows the faucet to run longer while using less water.
The aerator can help you save water by making the water flow more productive. It can also activate the soap faster, saving both water and soap.
This device can help you save more than 50% of the water you use.
You can save anywhere from 7 to 60 liters of water per day based on the aerator you choose to install.
Get an Efficient Showerhead
The shower is a place where we can clean up, cool off, wake up, or relax after a long day.
But it’s also a place where we waste a lot of water and energy!
Consider this:
- The average shower lasts about eight minutes. Since the average showerhead has
a water flow of 7 liters per minute, each shower uses more than 60 liters of water! - According to Environmental Protection Agency, one trillion gallons of water is being used each year just for showering across the United States.
This is where an efficient showerhead comes into play, accompanied of course by a shorter shower duration.
A quality, water-saving showerhead should use less than 7 liters of water per minute but still produce a powerful stream of water.
Not all showerheads work the same, several characteristics can affect their functionality.
Generally, they fit into two types, each with its own advantages:
Aerating
These showerheads mix water and air to mimic the sensation of higher water pressure.
Most low-flow showerheads on the market use this method to conserve water.
One disadvantage of an aerating showerhead is the aeration process cools water slightly before it hits your skin, so you may end up taking hotter showers—and paying more to heat the water—than you would otherwise.
Laminar-flow
These showerheads use individual streams of water.
They can be more expensive than aerating showerheads, but they’re ideal for use in humid climates because they create less steam and mist.
Shower Timers
A shower clock or shower timer is a gadget that tracks how much water you are using and/or how much time you are spending while in the shower to then remind you of when to turn the water off.
It can help you limit your time in the bathroom and make you more aware of exactly how much time and you are wasting.
A shower clock can also help save energy and lower your water bills.
People often like to let the shower run although they are not using it at the moment.
With a shower clock, you will be more inclined to make good use of the shower water during the time allotted.
Because of this, more people can conserve water and cut down on their bills.
A shower timer comes in different types and forms. Some of them are even incorporated into the showerheads themselves.
No matter what model and type you’d choose, it will definitely help you save money on water bills.
Collect the Rain
Rainwater harvesting is a great water saver option for homeowners and can have huge benefits for you and the community you live in.
With a tank properly installed you could save up to 40% of your water supply!
If the water is stored correctly, you can even use it for drinking, besides flushing down the toilet, washing clothes, or watering the garden.
Harvesting the rain can also have environmental benefits such as:
- reduction in peak stormwater flow
- improving local waterways
- reduction in infrastructure costs required to manage stormwater
- likelihood of flooding is reduced
- you’ll have water even in the drought season
Rainwater tanks come in all shapes and sizes.
There are tank models that can be installed along the sides of houses, under decks, underground and there are now innovative under-house bladder-style storage systems that fit under your floor.
Harvesting the water is really a cool idea if you want to save money, water, and also take care of the environment.
Bathwater Barrier for Kids
The bathwater barrier is a handy water-saving device, which helps the smaller ones in your family save water and keep clean.
Utility companies have been advising their customers to stop taking baths and to have shorter showers instead.
But every parent who is on a water meter or not should be looking at ways they can mindfully cut consumption for bathing such a small person, whilst saving money and time too.
You can save up to 28 liters of water per bath when using a bathwater barrier in a standard-sized bath.
That’s 10,220 liters per year!
Water Your Lawn at the Right Time
Watering your lawn at the right time of day can reduce the amount of water lost to evaporation.
If you have a lawn or garden that needs watering I suggest doing so in the morning.
Midday watering leads to wasteful evaporation, while nighttime watering causes droplets to cling to the grass overnight, increasing the chance of lawn diseases and promotes fungus/moss.
Conclusion
We use a lot of water for our daily needs and this is reflecting in the utility bills, of which 60% is just the water bill.
Whether you’re struggling to pay the bills or not, you should consider using less water and make efforts in conserving it.
Even if you only reduce your water bill by $20 each month, that’s an extra $240 you’ll have in your checking account at the end of the year.
I think we all have a responsibility to save water. We need to understand the implications of wasting this precious resource and work together to protect it.
But to do that, we must first start small.
We need to change our habits, make a few adjustments here and there to our appliances and adopt a healthier lifestyle for us and for the environment.
The tips and ways you can save money that I mentioned in this guide are things that each and every one of us can put into practice.
Little by little, they will help you save money on the water bill and will make your home a better place to live.
🙏 Thank you for taking the time to read the whole article. I hope you found it useful!
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