9 Ways to Save on Your Water Bill

A profile of a faucet with coins dripping out of it.

There are two very good reasons to conserve water: it's good for the environment and it will save money on your water bill. If you're looking for ways to cut back on your water usage, consider making these simple changes around your home and in your lifestyle. You won't notice a difference anywhere except your wallet!

1. Only Wash Full Loads

Running either your washing machine or dishwasher when it isn't a full load is a complete waste of water. It's also a waste of energy, and it means you'll have to wash more often, since you're not filling the appliance each time. If you only have a couple items that you really need washed right away, consider washing them by hand in the sink rather than in the washing machine.

2. Replace Appliances With Energy Efficient Models

If you're looking to replace your dishwasher or washing machine, consider updati

If you're looking to replace your dishwasher or washing machine, consider updating it with an energy efficient model. Energy efficient models are made to use less water and energy and don't cost much more than a regular model. You'll end up saving money over the long run, anyway.

3. Turn Water Off

Don't leave the water running while you shave or brush your teeth. Get in the habit of turning it off regularly instead. There really is no reason to have it running.

4. Take Shorter Showers and Less-Full Baths

A claw foot bathtub in a fancy bathroom.

An obvious way to cut back on your water bill is to take shorter, and fewer, showers. Even cutting your shower down by two minutes can save 10 gallons of water! And on this note, you should also consider showering over having a bath, or consider filling the bathtub up only halfway. You don't actually need a full tub of water to take a bath.

5. Store Drinking Water in the Fridge

If you drink tap water, you should keep a jug in the fridge to keep it cold rather than running the tap. A lot of people will run the tap until the water is cold and then fill their cup. This is a huge waste of water and one that can easily be avoided.

6. Use Rain Barrels

A rain barrel under a gutter with water in it.

You can save a lot of money on water usage by attaching a rain barrel to your eavestrough downspout. Watering the grass can get expensive, especially at the beginning of the season when you plant new flowers and grass seed. Rain barrels collect and save rain water that you can then use to water your yard and gardens (on days it doesn't rain!).

7. Replace Leaky Faucets

Make sure none of the faucets in your house are leaking. Even a small drip can add up to big bucks at the end of year. In fact, a slow drip can waste 10 gallons per day, and a faster drip could be wasting up to 30 gallons a day. So go through each bathroom, the kitchen, and even the exterior spigots to make sure none of the faucets are leaking. If they are, replace them as soon as possible.

While you're at it, take a look around water pipes to make sure nothing is broken and that there are no leaks anywhere else. Not only can this be adding to your water bill, but it could be causing damage to your home.

8. Boil Water

A steaming tea kettle on a stove top.

Don't run the tap to get hot water. Instead, fill a kettle and boil it on the stove or throw your mug of water in the microwave for a minute or so to warm it up instead.

9. Low-Flow Faucets and Shower Heads

Low-flow faucets and shower heads are designed to cut water usage down. A standard shower head today uses anywhere from five to 10 gallons per minute compared to a low-flow shower head, which uses less than two gallons per minute.