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EPA Offers Tips to Save Water and Money

Release Date: 08/03/2009
Contact Information: Enesta Jones, [email protected], 202-564-7873, 202-564-4355

WASHINGTON – August is peak water use season and with a few simple tips from EPA's WaterSense program homeowners can save water and as much as $110 annually on their water bills.

“Peak water use can be expensive, taxes local water systems, and threatens future water supply and quality,” said Peter S. Silva, EPA’s assistant administrator for water. “A few simple changes can help consumers reduce their water bills, and in turn, save them money.”

On average, an American household uses about 260 gallons per day, but this amount climbs to around 1,000 gallons per day during peak water use season with some households using as much as 3,000 gallons a day.

Here are some tips to help reduce water use:

• Water yards only when needed.
• Consider using WaterSense labeled toilets, faucets and faucet accessories, which use at least 20 percent less water and can save $60 per year.
• Water landscapes only when needed. Watering in the very early morning or evening is best.
• Wash only full loads of laundry and dishes, and scrape dishes instead of rinsing when loading the dishwasher.
• For a summer refreshment, keep a pitcher of water in the fridge instead of running the tap until it is cold.
• Put your favorite handyperson to work fixing leaks around the home, which can waste about 200 gallons per week. Fixing leaks can add up to about $50 in utility bill savings annually.