Water Conservation Indoors

	Shorten your shower. Even a one or two minute reduction can save up to 700 gal./mo.
	Use low-flow shower heads or flow restrictors in regular shower heads (saves 500-800 gal. each month).
	When you can, take a shallow bath instead of a shower (saves 15-20 gal. each time).
	Put bathroom trash in the wastebasket and cigarettes in the ashtray instead of flushing them down the toilet (saves 400-600 gal./mo.)
	Check toilet for leaks by dropping dye tablets or food colouring into the tank. If colour appears in the bowl without flushing, there's a leak that should be repaired (saves 200 gal./mo.) It is not uncommon to lose up to 100 gallons a day through a leaking toilet.
	Turn off the water while brushing your teeth (saves 3 gal. each day).
	Rinse your razor with short blasts of water or by swishing it in a partially-filled sink instead of running the water while you shave (save 3 gal. each day).
	While you wait for hot water to come down the pipes, catch the flow in a watering can to use later on house plants or garden (saves l 00-300 gal./mo.)
	Fix leaking faucets and plumbing joints (saves 20 gal./day per leak).
	Run only full loads in the washing machine and dishwasher (saves 75-200 gal./week).
	Keep a bottle in the refrigerator for drinking instead of running the tap for cold water (save 200-300 gal./mo.)
	Defrost frozen foods without running water over the packages. Either plan ahead by placing frozen items in the refrigerator overnight or defrost them in the microwave (saves 50-150 gal./mo.)
	Rinse vegetables in a filled sink or pan instead of under running water (saves 150-250 gal./mo.)

Be a Leak Seeker

Checking your home for leaks can save you money on your water bill. Leaks, unseen or ignored, can result in hundreds, even thousands, of gallons of water wasted. Leaks at faucets are usually obvious and should be repaired as soon as possible.

Leaks cost you money

2010 Rates

	A hole this size wastes 0.77 m³ (170 gallons) in 24 hours	23.1 M3/month - $50.40 water and sewage
	A hole this size wastes 4.41 m³ (970 gallons) in 24 hours	132.3 M3/month - $293.37 water and sewage
	A hole this size wastes 16.27 m³ (3600 gallons) in 24 hours	488 M3/month - $1085.80 water and sewage

How to check for leaks

8 Hour Test

To perform a test on your entire household plumbing system, read your meter at some time during the day or night when water will not be used for at least the next eight hours. Record the reading. At the end of the eight hour period, reread the water meter and compare the reading to the original reading. If the readings are identical, your household plumbing system has no leaks. If the readings are different and no water has been used, this confirms that you have a plumbing leak and you should proceed to identify the plumbing fixture(s) that is the source of that leak.

Dye Test - Toilets

Toilets are notorious for hidden leaks; undetected they can waste hundreds of gallons per day. These leaks occur when the toilet is out of adjustment or when parts become worn, so it is important to check periodically. Most toilet leaks occur at the overflow pipe or at the plunger ball. If it's at the overflow, the water level is too high, although sometimes the overflow pipe may leak below the water level. Plunger ball leaks are not easily spotted. The toilet can be checked for leaks by performing a dye test. Either use food colouring or dye test tablets, dye test tablets for toilets are available at various hardware and plumbing stores. To perform a dye test, place the tablet or a few drops of food colouring in the toilet tank. Do not flush. Wait and observe for 10-15 minutes. If the colour seeps through into the toilet bowl, this indicates a leak. In the case of a leak, the plunger ball either needs replacing or the flapper is out of alignment. If you are an experienced do-it-yourselfer you can make the necessary repairs or adjustments. Otherwise call a plumber.

Other sources of leaks

Inspect any fixtures that are connected to your water supply including:

Household taps (inside and outside the house)
Water-cooled air conditioners
Humidifiers
Underground lawn sprinkler systems

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