It rains so often in south Puget Sound that it is hard to believe we need to conserve water, but we do! Our drinking water comes from groundwater, and we are not the only ones who depend on it. Groundwater also feeds our lakes, streams, and rivers. So the more water we take out of the ground for our uses, the less there is to support salmon and other wildlife in our local waters. Conservation also helps keep rates from increasing and delays the need to build new wastewater treatment capacity.
Tips for Saving Water at Home
- Install high-efficiency toilets, washing machines, and other appliances. LOTT offers toilet and washing machine rebates for sewer customers.
- Install water-saving shower heads and low-flow faucet aerators. If you are a LOTT sewer customer, you can get a free water-saving kit from your city utility representative.
- Check your toilet for leaks. Put a little food coloring in your tank. If, without flushing, the color begins to appear in the bowl within 30 minutes, you have a leak. Most replacement parts are inexpensive and easy to install.
- Check faucets and pipes for leaks. A small drip from a faucet can waste 20 gallons of water per day.
- Take showers instead of baths. A full bathtub requires up to 70 gallons of water.
- Shorten your showers. A 5-minute shower only uses 12.5 gallons compared to a 20-minute shower, which uses 50 gallons of water.
- Turn off the water while washing your hands or brushing your teeth. You could save up to 4 gallons a minute.
- Run only full loads of dishes or laundry.
- Always use your wastebasket instead of the toilet.
Visit the LOTT website for more tips and tools for saving water – one of our most precious resources.
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