There are two reasons it’s a good idea to conserve water in the bathroom. The first is that it could save you money on water bills. Out of all the spaces in the house that utilize water, the bathroom uses the most, which means that reductions here could result in measurable savings.
The second reason is for the environment. Every gallon saved is a gallon that isn’t flowing into the wastewater stream. On top of that, water conservation is important in areas experiencing water shortages.
If you want to save water in the bathroom, there are two primary options: You could modify household habits to waste less water, or choose fixtures that use less water to accomplish the same tasks. Read more about these opportunities below.
Decrease the Water Bill from Bathroom Usage with Water-Saving Habits
A lot of water is wasted simply because of how we use it. For instance, many people leave the water running while brushing their teeth. However, an easy way to conserve water is to shut it off and only turn it on again once you’re ready to rinse. For a family of four, this action alone could save 200 gallons of water per week.
Here are some other ways to reduce your water usage:
- If you take a bath, plug the tub before you run the water, not after, then adjust the temperature.
- Even better, switch to a five-minute shower. It can take as much as 70 gallons to fill a tub, but if you take showers that are five minutes or less, you could save up to 1,000 gallons each month.
- Check for dripping faucets and leaky toilets. A faucet that drips once per second can consume up to 5 gallons of water per day. These fixtures may need to be replaced, or you might need to turn them off tightly when you’ve finished using them. To test for a toilet leak, put some food coloring in the tank. If the water in the bowl changes color before you’ve flushed, consider calling a plumber.
Try Water-Saving Bathroom Products
Another way to save water is by using eco-friendly products. Look for fixtures that feature the EPA’s WaterSense label; they are designed to use less water than older models. In particular, find toilets, faucets and showerheads that are made according to these specifications.
- WaterSense showerheads are designed to use no more than 2 gallons per minute, whereas standard showerheads can run as much as 2.5 gallons per minute.
- A standard faucet for the bathroom sink might use 2.2 gallons per minute or more. WaterSense faucets save at least 30% by reducing flow to 1.5 gallons per minute or less.
- By far, toilets use the most water in the home — nearly 30% of total indoor usage on average. If you have a toilet made before 1992, it could be running roughly 3.5 gallons per flush. Toilets made after that date, according to new federal standards, can use as much as 1.6 gallons per flush. A WaterSense toilet, however, will consume a maximum of 1.28 gallons per flush.
As you can see, there are plenty of ways to save water in the bathroom — and good reasons to do so. Not only can it cut your water bill, but it’s good for the environment too. To learn more about eco-friendly bathroom furniture and fixtures, check out Modern Bathroom’s selection.