The drought in California has been very well publicized. It seems to grow worse in severity every single day. The drought is accomplishing one good thing. It is drawing people’s attention to the need to conserve water. The average home unfortunately wastes thousands of gallons of water every year. By using these easy tips, you can cut down on your home water waste, and even save a few dollars on your utility bill.

Water-Saving Shower Heads

Installing low flow shower heads is an easy way to save thousands of gallons of water a day. Water-saving shower heads, or low-flow shower heads restrict water use to 2.5 gallons per minute. They are easy to install, and the odds are you won’t even notice the lower water flow in our shower. On average, a shower with a low-flow shower head can save up to 3,000 gallons of water every year.

Check for Hidden Leaks

A leaky faucet is easy to notice. That relentless sound going, drip-drip-drip, will drive you insane unless you fix it. Unfortunately, hidden leaks are rather more insidious, and they can cause thousands of gallons of water waste every year. Add a few drops of food coloring to the tank of your toilet. Check back a few hours later. If any of the colored water appears in the toilet bowl, then you have a small, gradual leak.

Checking your entire home plumbing system for leaks is surprisingly easy! Find your home’s water meter, and write down what it reads. For two hours, don’t run ANY water in your home. Go back and check the water meter again. If the reading has changed at all, that means you have a leak somewhere in your plumbing. When this happens, it is best to call a professional plumber to help you out. They will be able to find the leak and fix it in no time!