How to cut your water bill

Cutting your water bill is something that everyone wants to do. Who doesn't want to save money each month? If you do it right, you can save up to $50 or more on your water bill each month. But how, you're probably asking? Well here are some tips on how to cut your water bill this year and keep more money in your pocket.
Tip #1: Have laundry days
Instead of doing laundry every time you have dirty clothes, let it collect for a week (or more if you can) and then do your laundry and a specified day each week. Do the largest loads your machine will take and take just one day to get the laundry done.
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Tip #2: Don't run the water while washing dishes
Some people like to do the dishes and never fill the sink in doing so. That's great and everything but if you're not OCD about filling the sink up and washing the dishes without running the water the entire time then it's going to help you cut way back on your water bill. You want to also make sure that the dishwasher is full before you actually run it. Think about how much water you're wasting by running a half empty dishwasher and then having to wash others by hand as well.
Tip #3: Turn off unnecessary water
Don't just let the water run in your house during times like brushing your teeth. So many people will just let the water run while they're brushing and don't really know how much water they're wasting. Instead of letting it run, turn it off, brush your teeth, and then turn it back on when you need to.
Tip #4: Check for leaks
Especially in older homes, leaks can cause a water bill to be much more than it needs to be. There are several places that leaks can occur without your knowledge so take some time to check the house. Here are some places you might want to check for:
- Toilets are notorious for leaking, especially when they're old. You should be able to find a leak by just looking at the floor around the toilet. If you find one, turn off the water until you get it fixed. If you need to use the toile then use recycled water to pour into the toilet and flush it that way.
- Underneath sinks in the kitchen and bathroom areas. Pull everything out from under the sink and leave it for a few hours or even longer if you suspect a leak.
- Showers and bath tubs. These places can be more difficult to detect leaking as most of the leaks in showers and tubs will be behind the actual tub or shower. Over time however you will find mold or bacteria that has built up due to leaking. Take time to fix the leak or it will cost you.
Tip #5: Take showers
Instead of running the water for the bath get into the habit of taking showers. You will use a lot less water by showering than you will by filling the entire tub with water. Another great idea is to stop nagging your kids about showering every day (unless they absolutely need it of course). Showering every other day or even a few times a week is just fine for young kids.
Everyone wants to save money, so why not start by learning how to cut your water bill? It's good for the environment and puts a little extra money into your own pocket. Shower less; save more. It makes sense.
