Tips To Reduce Monthly Water Bill

Tips to Reduce Your Water Bill

Most people use water without really thinking about it. About its impact on the environment and its impact on our wallet. We use water constantly for so many things. And when we use water we also waste water making your water bill go up.

Your water bill can come from a couple of different sources. It can come directly from your municipality, or it can come from a third party your municipality has an agreement with to provide customer service and billing services. For example, in Edmonton your water bill comes from Epcor and in Red Deer, it comes directly from the city.

If you are looking for ways to lower your water bill, here is a list of things you can do.

General

• Fix all plumbing leaks. If one leak drips for a full year, it can contribute up to three months of your water bill. Also, don’t forget to check your toilet to see if it is a leaky loo.

• Replace your appliances with water efficient ones. Look for the ENERGY STAR label. 

• Install water aerators on faucets. They lower the tap’s water flow without lowering the water pressure.

• Turn the tap off when you aren’t using it. When brushing your teeth, wet your toothbrush, then turn off the tap during the time you are actually brushing your teeth. Turn the tap back on when it is time to rinse.

• Use your greywater. For example, don’t dump your leftover drinking water down the drain, save it and use it to water your plants. Also, save the water used while waiting for it to heat up and use it for your plants and garden.

• Install your hot water heater closer to where you will need the hot water and insulate your hot water pipes. Both will reduce the amount of water you need to run to get hot water.

Bathroom

• Install low flow shower heads.

• Take shorter showers. If you shorten your shower by only four minutes, you can save up to 4,000 gallons of water per year.

• Install quality low flow toilets. 

• Install an adjustable flapper. It allows you to adjust your desired flush volume.

• Replace your toilet flapper annually. This will stop water from escaping through the hole at the bottom of the tank.

Kitchen and Laundry Room

• Only do full loads in your dishwasher and washing machine. 

• Don’t pre-rinse your dishes. Scrape them into the garbage and then let the dishwasher do its job.

• Clean your veggies in a partial filled sink instead of under continuously running water.

• Use your garbage disposal less often. It needs a lot of water to work. Think about composting your food scraps instead of sending them down the garbage disposal.

• Store cold water in the fridge so you don’t have to let the tap run to get your cold water.

• Don’t hand wash dishes with running water.

• Don’t wash your clothes after every wear unless they are dirty. Most clothes don’t get dirty enough to wash after one wearing.

Outside

• Cover your pool and hot tub when not in use. It will limit water evaporation and the need to add water to your pool and hot tub.

• Instead of using water to spray down your patio, sidewalks, and driveways, sweep more frequently.

• Native landscaping. By using plants native to your area, you won’t need to water as much because they are adapted to your environment.

• Plant a water-wise garden which uses drought-tolerant plants. 

• Spread mulch around the base of plants to reduce evaporation and you’ll need to water less often.

• Water your garden and lawn late at night and early in the morning to limit wasting water through evaporation.

• Don’t water your lawn when it is raining or there is rain in the forecast. 

• Strategically place your sprinklers so you aren’t watering your sidewalk or driveway.

• Keep your sprinkler heads clean and properly maintained.

• Adjust your automatic irrigation system to water only when needed. You should check your settings monthly because your yard and garden needs change. Your irrigation needs in August will be different than in April.

• Use soaker hoses to more accurately target your watering.

• Fill a wading pool for your kids to play in instead of letting them play in the sprinkler.

• Collect rainwater for use in your garden.

• Take your car to a car wash. Car washes recycle the water they use, when you wash your car at home all the water just goes down the drain. Also wash your car less often.

In addition to the above, many municipalities have water usage reduction programs you can participate in. For example, various rebate programs (rain barrels, low-flow toilets) and home conservation assessments.

There are many ways to reduce your water usage. Start with the tips that are easy for you to integrate into your daily life. Over time you can incorporate more of the recommendations, building on your success, reducing your water bill, and increasing your savings.