Tips for saving water at home

The average American family uses more than 300 gallons of water per day at home in bathrooms, kitchens and in laundry rooms. Here are some easy ways to conserve our most precious natural resource — and save money on your water bill:

Bathroom. In an average home, showers gobble up water. They are the third-greatest water user, behind only washing machines and toilets. The average shower in the United States is 8-10 minutes long. Shave a few minutes off the time you spend in the shower and you could save a substantial amount of water over time. If you have a family member, such as a teen, who takes super long showers, a timer may be a good investment. A water-conserving shower head can be a great investment. Dripping faucets and leaky toilets can waste water in the bathroom, as can running the faucet the entire time you are brushing your teeth.

Laundry room. Washing machines use a lot of water. Wash clothes only when you have a full load. Consider using any water-saving features on your existing washer and upgrading to a more water- and energy-efficient model the next time you need to purchase one.

Kitchen. Did you know that a newer, energy-efficient dishwasher uses less than half as much water and energy as washing dishes by hand? Many dishwashers use a fraction of the water that you would use hand-washing dishes. You could save thousands of gallons of water each year by using your dishwasher instead of hand-washing, especially if you use an energy- and water-saving dishwasher cycle.