GGCD OFFERS WATER-SAVING TIPS
Did You Know? The bathroom accounts for 75 percent of the water used in the home.
At a time when rainfall has been scarce and we are in a drought situation, water conservation plays an important roll in our everyday lives. The Glasscock Groundwater Conservation District suggests the following tips to reduce water waste in the residential bathroom:
Repair dripping faucets by replacing washers. If your faucet is dripping at the rate of one drop per second, you can expect to waste 2,700 gallons per year which will add to the cost of water and sewer utilities, or strain your septic system.
An average of 20% of toilets leak. Check for toilet tank leaks by adding food coloring to the tank. If the toilet is leaking, color will appear in the toilet bowel within 30 minutes. Check the toilet for worn out, corroded or bent parts. Most replacement parts are inexpensive, readily available and easily installed. (Flush as soon as test is done, since food coloring may stain tank.)
Install a high-efficiency toilet mandated to use 1.6 gallons of water per flush. Toilets made before 1993 use from 3.5 to 8 gallons per flush and as much as 20 gallons (76 liters) per person per day. Replacing an old toilet with a new model can save the typical household 7,900 to 21,700 gallons (29,902 - 82,135 liters) of water per year, cutting both your water and wastewater bills.
Avoid flushing the toilet unnecessarily. Dispose of tissues, insects and other such waste in the trash rather than the toilet. Toilets can account for almost 30% of all indoor water use, more than any other fixture or appliance
Turn water off while soaping hands and back on to rinse.
Take shorter showers. Replace you showerhead with an ultra-low-flow version. Some units are available that allow you to cut off the flow without adjusting the water temperature knobs.
Use the minimum amount of water needed for a bath by closing the drain first and filling the tub only 1/3 full.
Don't let water run while shaving or washing your face. Brush your teeth first while waiting for water to get hot, then wash or shave after filling the basin.