Water conservation matters throughout California, not only during dry periods. Saving water can lower your monthly utility costs, reduce the energy needed to heat water, and protect an important natural resource. It can also help you catch plumbing problems before they cause expensive property damage.
If you want to learn how to lower water usage, start by looking at your fixtures, appliances, daily habits, and plumbing system. Small changes can add up, but hidden leaks and inefficient fixtures may require help from a plumber.
How Much Water Does the Average Person Use?
The U.S. Geological Survey estimates that one person uses about 80 to 100 gallons of water per day for indoor household activities. Toilets, showers, faucets, washing machines, and dishwashers all contribute to that total.
Toilets represent the largest source of indoor water use. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, toilets account for nearly 30 percent of the average home’s indoor water consumption.
Your actual usage will depend on your household size, fixtures, appliances, and daily routines. Outdoor watering can also cause consumption to rise during the warmer months.
Water Waste Can Add Up Quickly
A small leak may not look serious, but it can waste hundreds or thousands of gallons over time. Consider these water-saving facts from the EPA:
- Household leaks can waste about 9,400 gallons per family each year.
- A faucet that drips once per second can waste more than 3,000 gallons annually.
- A showerhead that leaks 10 drops per minute can waste more than 500 gallons per year.
- Running only full dishwasher loads can save the average family nearly 320 gallons annually.
You do not always need a major renovation to reduce waste. Repairing a worn toilet flapper, dripping faucet, or loose showerhead connection may produce noticeable savings.
Practical Water Saving Tips for Your Home
The most effective conservation plan combines smart habits with timely plumbing maintenance. Start with the areas that use the most water and look for simple improvements.
Check Your Home for Hidden Leaks
Leaks can develop behind walls, beneath floors, under foundations, and inside plumbing fixtures. Some leaks create visible puddles or stains. Others remain hidden while they increase your water bill.
Watch for signs such as:
- An unexplained increase in water use
- A toilet that runs between flushes
- Damp flooring or walls
- Musty odors
- The sound of running water
- Low water pressure
- Movement on the water meter when no one uses water
You can perform a basic meter test by turning off all faucets and water-using appliances. Record the meter reading and avoid using water for two hours. If the reading changes, you may have a leak.
You can also check a toilet by placing a few drops of food coloring in the tank. Wait 10 minutes without flushing. Color in the bowl may indicate that the flapper or another tank component leaks. Flush afterward to prevent staining.
A plumber can help when you cannot locate the source or complete the repair. Professional leak detection can reduce guesswork and help limit unnecessary damage to walls, floors, or concrete.
Repair or Replace Inefficient Toilets
A running toilet often wastes water without making the problem obvious. A worn flapper, damaged fill valve, or incorrect water level may cause the tank to refill throughout the day.
A repair may solve the problem when the toilet remains in good condition. However, replacing a much older model can provide greater long-term savings. Older toilets may use as much as six gallons per flush. WaterSense-labeled toilets use 1.28 gallons per flush or less.
The EPA estimates that replacing all old, inefficient toilets with WaterSense models can save an average family nearly 13,000 gallons per year. A plumber can inspect your toilets and explain whether repair or replacement makes more sense.
Install Efficient Showerheads and Faucet Aerators
Standard showerheads use about 2.5 gallons per minute. WaterSense-labeled models use no more than 2 gallons per minute while meeting performance standards. The EPA estimates that an average family can save about 2,700 gallons per year by making this change.
Faucet aerators can also reduce flow without making the water feel weak. These small components work well in bathroom sinks where people often leave the water running while brushing their teeth or shaving.
You can save even more by taking shorter showers and shutting off faucets when you do not actively need the water.
Use Dishwashers and Washing Machines Efficiently
Run your dishwasher and washing machine only when you have a full load. Match the washing machine’s water setting to the load size when your appliance offers that option.
Modern dishwashers can use much less water than washing the same number of dishes by hand. Current ENERGY STAR dishwasher criteria limit standard-size certified models to 3.2 gallons per cycle or less.
Scrape leftover food into the trash instead of rinsing every dish under a running faucet. You should still follow the dishwasher manufacturer’s instructions for heavily soiled items.
Reduce Outdoor Water Waste
Outdoor use accounts for more than 30 percent of average household water consumption. That share can become much higher in dry regions.
Use these steps to reduce outdoor waste:
- Follow your local water agency’s watering schedule.
- Water plants early in the day when temperatures remain cooler.
- Avoid watering during or immediately after rain.
- Inspect hoses, spigots, and irrigation lines for leaks.
- Sweep patios and driveways instead of spraying them with a hose.
- Use mulch to help soil retain moisture.
- Choose plants that need less water.
Local water agencies may also offer rebates for efficient fixtures, irrigation equipment, or landscaping improvements. Check with your provider before purchasing equipment.
Have Your Water Pressure Checked
Excessive water pressure can increase the amount of water that flows through faucets and showerheads. It can also place stress on supply lines, valves, fixtures, and water-using appliances.
Ask a plumber to test the pressure if faucets spray forcefully, pipes make banging sounds, or plumbing components develop frequent leaks. The plumber can determine whether the home needs a pressure adjustment or pressure-reducing valve.
Track Your Water Use Each Month
Reviewing your water bills can help you recognize waste early. Compare each bill with the same period from the previous year because outdoor use often changes with the seasons.
A sudden increase may indicate a leak, a running toilet, or a change in household habits. Gradual increases may point to aging fixtures or an irrigation system that needs adjustment.
Set a realistic monthly goal and monitor your progress. Saving water becomes easier when you know how much your household uses and which changes produce results.
When Should You Call a Plumber?
Some conservation steps require only a change in habits. Other problems need professional diagnosis or repair.
Contact a plumber if:
- Your meter moves when no one uses water.
- Your bill rises without a clear reason.
- A toilet continues to run after repairs.
- You notice damp flooring, walls, or cabinets.
- Your home has recurring leaks.
- You want to replace an inefficient toilet or fixture.
- You suspect excessive water pressure.
- You need help locating a hidden leak.
Addressing these problems early can reduce water waste and help protect your home.
Proudly Serving Families Like Yours for Over 17 Years
Big B’s Plumbing, Electric, Heating & Air takes a customer-centric approach to water-saving repairs and improvements. Our plumbers receive continuous coaching that helps them identify problems, explain your options, and recommend practical solutions.
As a family-owned company, we can help with leak detection, toilet repairs, fixture replacements, and other plumbing updates that may reduce water consumption. You can also review our current coupons for potential savings. Financing options may apply to qualifying larger plumbing projects.
Call Big B’s at (951) 297-9946 to schedule plumbing service and learn how we can help you save water and money.
