How to Use Less Water & Lower Your Monthly Water Bill

The cost we pay for local water service is one of the monthly expenses we can reduce by learning ways to reduce the amount of water we use.

Atlantic Coast Water Clinic of South Florida would like to share six effective tips for cutting down on your water usage and, thereby, your water bills.

Water Bills 101

Each municipality and water provider throughout the U.S. is different, but the ways they charge for water typically fall into a few main categories.

Some providers charge residential and business customers a flat rate, regardless of how much water they use during a billing cycle. Others charge a specified amount for each gallon or unit of water used.

Still other providers charge an increasing block rate – the more water used, the higher the price per unit. In some areas, water providers do the opposite – they charge less per unit as water consumption increases.

Check with your local utility if you want to know exactly how they charge for water services.

6 Tips for Using Less Water

No matter how your water provider charges, you’ll pay less if you use less water. Here are six proven tips to do just that.

1. Don’t Let Water Just Run and Run

Turn off the faucet as you lather your hands or brush your teeth. For dishwashing, consider installing an Energy Star appliance (see below), which can use as little as one-sixth the amount of water for this job as a sink. If you wash your vehicle at home, don’t leave the hose running while you’re scrubbing.

2. Take Shorter Showers

We won’t tell you how long to spend in the shower, but consider that you might be able to cut your shower water usage in about half if you got in, got clean and got out. Note that a bath can typically use around 70 gallons of water, while a five-minute shower uses about 15 to 25.

3. Set the Correct Clothes Washer Load Size

Most washers let you specify how much water to use for each load. Don’t just leave this setting on high. Set it each time for the amount of laundry in the tub.

4. Fix Leaks

Leaky faucets and appliances can waste a surprising amount of water every month. Take the initiative to inspect your home and property and fix any leaks you find.

5. Smart Yard Watering

If you live in an area where your lawn, shrubs and garden need regular water, do it or set the timer to do it early in the morning or in the evening when it’s cooler. Less water will be required because it’s not being evaporated by the sun.

6. Install Water-Saving Fixtures

Consider outfitting your sinks and shower heads with Energy Star or other models of fixtures designed to use less water. You’ll quickly adjust to the reduced water flow, and your water bill will adjust along with you. You can also purchase low-flow toilets to further reduce your water bill.

Atlantic Coast Water Clinic can’t help you use less water, but we can ensure that the water you do use for drinking, cooking, cleaning and bathing is the best water available anywhere.

If you live in Port St. Lucie, FL, Fort Pierce, FL, Hobe Sound, FL, or nearby Florida communities, call one of our water experts and ask about water purification systems that remove contaminants from your water and leave you with fresh and clean water you’ll absolutely love.

Call or reach out with our contact form.