City of Fairfax, VA
Home MenuSaving Water Indoors
Follow these simple steps below to help save water in your home.
In the bathroom:
In the bathroom:
- Install low-flow toilets. New low-flow models use 1.6 gallons or less of water per flush. Older models use 5 gallons or more per flush.
- Flush less — remember not to use the toilet as a trash can.
- Turn off the water while brushing teeth, shaving, etc. Letting the water run wastes 3 to 5 gallons a minute.
- Take shorter showers - aim for 5 minutes or less.
- In the shower, wet yourself down, turn the water off, lather up, then turn the water on to rinse off soap.
- Use less water when taking a bath- close the drain first and fill tub only one-third full. The initial burst of cold water will be warmed by the hot water as the tub fills.
- Run the dishwasher only when its a full load. This helps save water and energy.
- Scrape, don’t rinse, your dishes before loading in the dishwasher.
- When purchasing a dishwasher, consider a water-efficient model.
- Use the short cycle when using the dishwasher.
- Use your garbage disposal sparingly and start composting your kitchen waste.
- Thaw frozen food in the refrigerator or counter, not under running water.
- When washing dishes by hand, wash and rinse dishes in a dishpan or sink. Avoid letting the water run continuously.
In the laundry:
- Run the washing machine only you have a full load. This helps save water and energy.
- Use the shortest wash cycle for lightly soiled loads.
- Check hoses regularly for leaks.
- Pretreat stains to avoid rewashing.
Additional tips:
- Repair leaky pipes and faucets
- Install low-flow fixtures throughout your home.
- Insulate your water pipes — you’ll get hot water faster, plus avoid wasting water while it heats up.
- Never put water down the drain when there may be another use for it, such as watering a plant or cleaning.
- Replace leaky drain plugs in sinks and bathtubs.