SBWATER.ORG: Saving You Water

Home Water Efficiency Tips House

Santa Barbara County , like so many semi-arid areas, has a water supply that sometimes falls short of demand. Learning to live within our water supply, and using only what we need, is essential. In Santa Barbara County, the average amount of water used per person, per day is 148 gallons. With a population close to 400,000 residents, that adds up to a lot of water! This list of "do it yourself" conservation practices can help all of us extend our supply of water.

There are numerous, simple ways that you can help conserve water bothat home and at work. Click on the links below to learn more or contact your local water provider.

Bathroom
Kitchen
Laundry
Outdoors

Or, Watch Some Great "Quick Conservation" Videos Online!

Additionally, the City of Santa Barbara has put together several very helpful videos for ExpertVillage.com that demonstrate effective "do-it-yourself" conservation tips on film!

Water Meter & Main Valve Issues:

     Link to ExpertVillage.com Video: How to Locate Your Water Meter
     Link to ExpertVillage.com Video: Checking Your Water Meter for Conservation
     Link to Expert Village.com Video: Using Your Main Water Valve for Conservation

   Toilet Issues:

     Link to ExpertVillage.com Video: Checking Your Bathroom for Efficiency
     Link to ExpertVillage.com Video: Check Your Toilet for Leaks
     Link to ExpertVillage.com Video: How to Locate a Toilet Leak
     Link to ExpertVillage.com Video: Adjust the Flow of Your Toilet

Kichen & Appliance Issues:

     Link to ExpertVillage.com Video: Checking Your Kitchen for Efficiency
     Link to ExpertVillage.com Video: Hot Water Heater Conservation Tips
     Link to ExpertVillage.com Video: Washers & Other Appliances for Conservation

Outdoor Irrigation System Issues:

     Link to ExpertVillage.com Video: Finding Leaks in Outdoor Water Systems
     Link to ExpertVillage.com Video: Stopping Leaks in Outdoor Water Systems
     Link to ExpertVillage.com Video: Adjusting sprinklers for Conservation
     Link to ExpertVillage.com Video: Using an Irrigation Contoller for Conservation
     Link to ExpertVillage.com Video: Creating a Watering Schedule
     Link to ExpertVillage.com Video: New Efficient Irrigation Technologies

Bathroom
About 45% of a household's total water consumption takes place in the bathroom: 27% of indoor per capita water use is attributed to the toilet, 2% is used by the bath and 17% is used by the shower. Hardware retrofits are the best way to realize long-term savings. By changing some hardware, you can save hundreds of gallons each month in the bathroom alone. Here are some key conservation tips for reducing water use in your bathroom:

Install a low flow showerhead

The shower accounts for approximately 20% of indoor water use, and 30% to 40% of hot water use. Older showerheads put out water at a rate of 4.5 to 8 gallons per minute (gpm).
Check out H2ouse.org for tips on tips on where and what to purchase.
Low-flow models operate at a range of 1.5 to 2.5 gpm. Low-flow showerheads are available in a wide range of flow characteristics, so it should be possible to find a model that suits you.
Use a wrench or pliers to unscrew the old showerhead. You may wrap a layer of Teflon tape around the threads. Then screw on the new showerhead. Use the shut-off valve behind the head to shut off the water while soaping up without losing the water temperature when the water is turned on again.

Reduce the amount of time you spend in the shower.

Set a timer, and keep the shower hot for every family member. Shortening your shower by five minutes can save 20 to 40 gallons of water per shower. Installing a low flow showerhead with a shut-off valve can save you even more.
In the shower, a lot of water can be wasted while soaping up. Wet down, turn off the water, soap up and the turn the water on for rinsing.

Install a Faucet Aerator

Water conserving faucet aerators are available in sizes ranging from approximately 0.5 gallons per minute (gpm) to 2 gpm. Low-flow aerators mix air with the water to make an effective spray pattern. Older lavatory faucets typically operate at 7 gpm, and most new models operate at 3.5 gpm. So by installing a low-flow aerator you can save a lot of water. Aerators are also available that can be turned on and off with the flick of a finger. Those types of aerators are great for lavatory basins because they are easy to use and they save water during teeth brushing, shaving, etc.
Check out H2ouse.org: Water Saver Tour to advice on where and what to buy.
To change your aerator, unscrew the old aerator or screen with a pair of pliers and thread on the new one. Tighten just enough to prevent leaks from the threaded connection.
Low flow aerators mix air with the water to make an effective spray pattern. Some old style faucets will not accept an aerator. You can reduce the flow at these faucets by turning down the angle stop that is located under the basin. However, the spray pattern will not be as nice as with an aerator. Those old style basin faucets should be replaced since they use the most water.

Check Your Toilet for Leaks

A well-maintained toilet can mean big water savings. Usually, a 100-gallon a day toilet leak is not very noticeable. Put a few drops of food coloring or toilet tablets in the tank and wait for 15 minutes. If the water in the bowl changes color, then you have a leak. A bad leak can send thousands of gallons silently down the drain. Silently, that is, until you receive your water bill.
DO NOT use a brick in your toilet tank - it may disintegrate and cause problems in your lines. Instead, consider installing a low-flow toilet that uses 1.6 gallons per flush.
Not sure how much water your toilet uses? Click here to find out!
For at-home, easy repairs and troubleshooting, visit H2ouse.org:Water Saver Tour.
Get a water check-up from your local water provider, which will include checking your toilets for leaks.

Install an Ultra Low-flush Toilet (ULFT)

If you have an older style toilet, you could be using up to 40% of your indoor water use in toilet flushing. Older model toilets will use between 3.5 and 7 gallons per flush. ULFTs are proven technology and only use 1.6 gallons per flush.
Over 50,000 ULFTs are in service in Santa Barbara and Goleta. Most models work very well, with no special problems. Go to H2ouse.org: Water Saver Tour for information on different models that work for you.
A high quality ULFT can be purchased for approximately $100 - $150.

Keep Trash Out of the Toilet

Every time you flush a cigarette butt, facial tissue or other small bit of trash down the toilet, you waste five to seven gallons of water. Use the wastebasket for disposing of trash.

Turn off the Water While Brushing Your Teeth

When brushing your teeth, only turn the water on to wet the brush. Make sure to turn it off when brushing. Fill a glass to rinse your mouth and wash the brush. This can mean the difference between using a pint of water and wasting several gallons.

Reuse Bath Water

Try washing both of your youngsters in the same tub of water if they are not too dirty. This saves water and can be fun for the kids. Re-use bath water for plants and for heavy cleaning jobs.

Rinse Your Razor in the Sink

Before shaving, partially fill the sink with warm water. This will rinse the blade just as well and use less water.

Kitchen
The kitchen is an excellent place for conservation. Diswhashers account for about 2% of residential, indoor water use, while faucets account for another 16%. Be especially conscious of running water and develop the habit of shutting off the tap whenever possible.

Install a Faucet Aerator

Water conserving faucet aerators are available in sizes ranging from approximately 0.5 gallons per minute (gpm) to 2 gpm. Low-flow aerators mix air with the water to make an effective spray pattern. Older lavatory faucets typically operate at 7 gpm, and most new models operate at 3.5 gpm. So by installing a low-flow aerator you can save a lot of water. Aerators are also available that can be turned on and off with the flick of a finger. Those types of aerators are great for lavatory basins because they are easy to use and they save water during teeth brushing, shaving, etc.
Check out H2ouse.or: Water Saver Tour for advice on where and what to buy.
To change your aerator, unscrew the old aerator or screen with a pair of pliers and thread on the new one. Tighten just enough to prevent leaks from the threaded connection.
Low flow aerators mix air with the water to make an effective spray pattern. Some old style faucets will not accept an aerator. You can reduce the flow at these faucets by turning down the angle stop that is located under the basin. However, the spray pattern will not be as nice as with an aerator. Those old style basin faucets should be replaced since they use the most water.

Be Water Wise When Washing Dishes Sink Graphic

Before scrubbing your pots and pans, wash them first. Instead of running water continuously, fill wash and rinse basins with water. Use a minimum amount of detergent. Add vinegar (1/4 to 1/2 cup) to dishwater to prevent grease from clinging to dishes, pots and pans.
Presoak grills, oven parts, etc., overnight. Wash with an abrasive scrub brush or pad and use plenty of elbow grease to minimize water use.

Run Full Loads of Dishes

When using the dishwasher, make sure it is fully-loaded. It also helps to use a water saving model. Some dishwashers use up to 25 gallons of water a cycle while newer models may use only 10 gallons. If you are buying a new dishwasher, shop around to find the machines that use less water per cycle and are more efficient.
Many automatic dishwashers do not require rinsing dishes before loading the machine, but if yours does, pond water in the sink and soak them.

Install a Hot Water On-demand System

Installing a hot water on-demand system if the kitchen and bathroom are far from the water heater can save water. If you choose to install such a system, select a system that is energy neutral. An on-demand system that requires a constantly running recirculating pump may save a little water, but it will waste a lot of energy.
Visit H2ouse.org: Water Saver Tour for more information on these systems.

Reduce Evaporation When Cooking

Boiling requires very little water if you use a tight fitting lid to conserve moisture.
By steaming you can save all the vitamins and minerals, too. But if you do boil vegetables, save the water for soups and sauces... they will be tastier and more nutritious.

Save Tap Water by Planning Ahead

Remove ice cubes from the freezer a few minutes before you need the ice. The cubes will loosen at room temperature and will save several quarts of water if they are not run under the tap.
Don't quick-thaw meats under the faucet either. Take frozen foods out of the freezer in time to thaw naturally.
Keep a bottle of drinking water in the refrigerator. This ends the wasteful practice of running tap water to cool it off for drinking.

Use the Garbage Disposal Less

Throw out or compost fruit and vegetable scraps. If you feel it's necessary to use the garbage disposal, save all the peelings until the end of cleanup time, and use the dishwasher to help flush them down the drain.

Properly Schedule Self-regenerating Water Softeners

Self-regenerating water softeners typically use from 35 to 140 gallons of water per cycle. There are many units on the market that feature water-saving technology. However, systems that use over 100 gallons of water per cycle are still being sold. The water use can be reduced by careful scheduling of regeneration cycles on clock-controlled models. It should be set to cycle no more than twice a week. Modern units will have a water meter or hardness sensor to control regeneration. That way, soft water is produced only as it is needed, and regeneration is usually more infrequent than clock controlled regeneration.

Laundry
Approximately 22% of all water used in the home is used in the washing machine, so even a small investment of time and money can pay off in the long run.

Install a High Efficiency Washing Machine

Front-loading horizontal-axis machines use 1/3 less water than top-loading vertical-access machines. The standard top-loader uses from 35-55 gallons per load, whereas a front loader will use from 25-30 gallons per load.
As well as saving water, the front-loading machines also save energy. Front-loading machines still cost more than the U.S. standard top-loading models, but the price will continue to fall as they become more available and the demand increases.
Visit H2ouse.org: Water Saver Tour for advice on different models and where to purchase.

Use the Right Amount of Water for the Load

Washing machines use 30-55 gallons per load. Use the load selector to match the water level to size of the load. If there is no selector, wash only full loads.
Presoak heavily soiled items and always use a minimum amount of detergent.

Re-use Water

For many laundry and household cleaning jobs, a low-sudsing, biodegradable detergent will result in cleaner rinse water which can be used again.

Outdoors

Wash Your Car Without a Hose

When washing your car, use a hose nozzle and a bucket. Use a nozzle on the garden hose to regulate water and turn it off when you're putting soap on a car. Better yet, take your car to a car wash that recycles water and prevents the runoff of soapy water into our creeks and ocean.

Use a Broom - Not the Hose
Broom

Sweep off sidewalks, driveways, patios, tennis courts, etc. with a broom or rake to remove leaves, clippings and debris. Don't hose off!!

Check Your Hose

Make sure hose connections are tight in order to prevent water loss.

Cover Your Pool

Keep the water level low to minimize splashing and install a pool cover in order to reduce water loss from evaporation.

Teach Your Children that Your Hose and Sprinkler are Not Toys

Few things are more cheerful than the sound of children playing under a hose or sprinkler on a hot day. Unfortunately, there are also few things more wasteful of precious water.