4 tips for saving water in your bathroom

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1. Install a low-flow showerhead

Showers account for 32 percent of home water use. The law now requires that all showerheads sold be low-flow models. Low-flow showerheads deliver no more than 2.5 gallons per minute compared to standard showerheads that release 4.5 gallons per minute. A family of four using low-flow showerheads can save about 20,000 gallons of water per year. NexTag and The Shower Head Store are great if you're in America. I'm still trying to find British suppliers so will report back as and when I find some.

2. Install an ultra-low-flush toilet or a toilet displacement device

Toilets are water hogs. About 40 percent of the water you use in your home gets flushed down the toilet. That amounts to more than 4 billion gallons of water in the U.S. each day. That's why the law (Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999) now mandates that all new toilets installed for residential use be minimal-flush toilets using around 4.5 liters. Conventional toilets generally use 3.5 to 5 gallons (sometimes more) of water per flush, while low-flush toilets use 1.6 gallons of water or less. If you're not building a new home, you can still benefit by installing one of these toilets. Still have an old toilet? You can save more than 1 gallon of water per flush with a displacement device -- a brick or plastic milk jug filled with water or pebbles placed in the toilet tank to reduce the amount of water used per flush. Elemental Solutions are a leading name in new low-flush toilets. If you are looking to make your existing toilet more water efficient then InterFlush are our choice.

3. Install flow restrictor aerators

Placing these inside faucets saves 3 to 4 gallons per minute when you turn on the tap. Of course, you can also help out by doing simple things such as not running water in the sink while soaping your face or brushing your teeth. For American readers NexTag offer numerous products at great prices.

Repair leaks

Fix those leaking and dripping faucets as soon as possible. A dripping faucet can waste up to 20 gallons of water per day. A leaking toilet can waste up to 200 gallons every day.

23.10.2006. 01:49

Richard on 31.10.2006. 04:22

I assume that the above article was written by an American? The water usage volumes and regulations mentioned don't relate to the UK. For anyone wanting to know relevant UK regulation:

1) There's no current maximum flow restriction on shower heads.

2) As of 1st January 2001, the Water Regulations (2001), which replaced the previous Water Byelaws, specify a maximum WC flush volume of 6 litres.

David on 21.01.2007. 23:15

I purchased 2 of these shower heads on ebay, for about $12, and I saw them at home depot in a box below all the fancier shower heads. Pressure is great, and most of all, as a green geek, I can select any range between full pressure, and off, using the button above the shower head. Expect to save $10-$20 a month.

Roy on 29.09.2007. 04:40

Bricks in toilets is a bad idea. They can disintegrate and do damage. Jar or jug is better.

Bathroom Lighting on 25.05.2008. 03:22

And with the waste water, install a grey water system and put the water on the garden to save water in the garden.

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