Indoor Tips

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A partnership program sponsored by EPA that seeks to protect the future of our nation's water supply by offering people a simple way to use less water. For more information visit WaterSense to find water efficient labeled toilets, faucets, showerheads, landscape irrigation services, and more.

Be a leak detective! Use our new leak guide Find and Fix Leaks that are Draining Your Budget to check your home for leaks. Available onlinelinks to external site.

Check the Green Building Program for ideas on how to remodel your home in an environmentally-friendly manner. Rebates are available on water saving items.

Replace showerheads
with water-saving fixtures. WaterSense labeled showerheads use 2.0 or fewer gallons per minute, and rebates are available. Avoid multiple showerheads to keep water use to a minimum.

Take shorter showers and shallow baths.
Keep showers to 5 minutes or less, or if taking a bath, keep the water level to ankle height.

Free faucet aerators are available for Scottsdale water customers.

Consider purchasing
a new-generation high-efficiency toilet that uses no more than 1.3 gallons of water per flush. Look for EPA’s WaterSense labeling that ensures water-efficiency and third-party performance testing.

Test your toilet.
Put food coloring in the toilet tank and wait 20 minutes without flushing. If color appears in the bowl, there is a leak. Adjust or replace the flush valve and flapper as necessary. 

Purchase a hot water recirculation system
so your hot water gets to the tap faster and eliminates the need to “let the water run” in order to get hot water. A rebate is available.

When purchasing new appliances
compare the water requirements of various models and brands. Some use less water than others. Look for EPA’s WaterSense labeling that ensures water-efficiency and third-party performance testing.

Run your washing machine and dishwasher only when you have a full load. Washing machine washing levels can be adjusted if a partial load must be run.

Do not pre-rinse dishes for dishwashers
unless you need to. Most new dishwashers do not require pre-rinsing. Check with your manufacturer.

When washing dishes by hand, use the least amount of detergent possible. This minimizes the amount of water you need to rinse.

Minimize the use of kitchen sink garbage disposals, as they require a generous supply of water to operate properly. Purchase a composter at a reduced cost.

When in a restaurant, turn your empty glass upside down if you don't want water. Not only will you save the water you don't drink, but you will also save the water used to wash the glass. Restaurateurs can order free Want Water? table tents.

Forgoing a water-softening system as it can consume anywhere from 15 to 120 gallons of water per 1,000 gallons of water produced. If you choose to forgo the system, learn how to lessen the effects of hard water in your home by visiting Tap Into Quality. Rebates available here.

Consider forgoing or limiting the use of reverse osmosis (RO) water purification systems. To get one gallon of RO water, most units waste 2-9 gallons of drinking water. Visit the Tap Into Quality website for information on water quality.

Remember to turn off water treatment and softener units while out of town to stop unnecessary water waste from systems that continue to run.


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