Toilet

Check your toilet for leaks

Toilets can waste as much as 200 gallons (or more) of water per day. They also account for the primary source of leaks in a household.

To check if your toilet has a leak, put a few drops of food coloring in the toilet tank and wait 10 to 15 minutes. If it seeps into the bowl without flushing, there’s a leak. Be sure and rinse the dye out quickly and thoroughly so it won’t stain.

Don’t use the toilet as a wastebasket

Every toilet is flushed an average of six times each day. Each flush can use more than 2 gallons of water. Keep a wastebasket in the bathroom for trash.

Don’t throw flushable wipes in the toilet

Flushable wipes may go down the toilet, but these wipes do not disintegrate like toilet paper and tend to create clogs in the wastewater system. Place flushable wipes in the trashcan instead of the toilet.

Install a low volume toilet

Toilets installed prior to 1994 may use between 3 and 6 gallons of water per flush. Compared to a more modern, high-efficiency toilet that uses less than 1 gallon per flush, replacing old toilets could make a big difference. Check that it is labeled WaterSense.

A family of four can save 14,000 to 25,000 gallons of water a year by replacing their toilet with a more efficient fixture. You may also want to consider buying a dual-flush toilet. It has two flush options, a half flush for liquid waste and a full flush for solid waste.

Use a water bank

You can reduce the amount of water it takes to fill your toilet tank, by placing a water bank in the tank. Keep in mind, do not use a brick or other items which may erode. Over time, this could affect the internal workings of your toilet.