Water

Water is a finite resource. Less than 1% of all the water on earth is available for human use.
High water use costs more. The average family spends more than $1,000 per year in water costs.
Treatment of drinking water and wastewater is energy intensive. EPA estimates ~2 percent of national electricity consumption is used to provide drinking water and wastewater services each year.
Heating water accounts for about 20% of your home’s energy use. Reducing your hot water use can help you reduce your monthly water heating bills.

Buy and install products with high water efficiency and performance. Look for the WaterSense Label designating products that are 20% more efficient than average. Products include faucets, shower heads, toilets, and more.
Check for and fix household leaks, which waste approximately 900 billion gallons of water annually nationwide.
Avoid baths and keep showers short to reduce hot water use.
Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth to save 8 gallons of water per day.
Washing dishes by hand is less efficient than running a full dishwasher. Using the shortest wash setting on your dishwasher saves even more energy.
If you have to wash dishes by hand, plug up the sink or use a wash tub. Letting your faucet run for five minutes while washing dishes can waste 10 gallons of water.
If possible, irrigate your landscapes with rainwater or “Grey Water”, the water from sinks, showers, and washing machines.

Office of Sustainability