Conserving water is good for the environment and your water bill. These five ways to waste less water at home can help you reduce your household water consumption. 

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  Fix Leaks

A leaky faucet can use as much as 20 gallons of water a day and a leaking toilet can waste an astounding 200 gallons a day. Set a regular maintenance schedule for all of your water consuming fixtures and appliances and repair leaks as soon as you find them. You can protect yourself against household floods that both waste water and damage property by utilizing technology, such as a watercop installation. 

• Do Not Let Your Faucet Run

Your bathroom or kitchen faucet uses about 2 gallons of water a minute when it is running. Never leave the faucet running while you are washing dishes, brushing your teeth or washing your hands. Turn the faucet off while you are not actively using it and then switch it back on when you need to rinse. This one change in behavior could save hundreds of gallons of water a month. 

• Install a Smaller Dishwasher

Modern, efficient dishwashers can clean dishes using less water than handwashing them, but you can save more water by only running full loads. If you have trouble filling your dishwasher, consider switching to a smaller model or a model with multiple drawers. Scrape your dishes before putting them in the dishwasher, instead of rinsing them in the sink, to save up to 10 gallons of water per load. 

• Purchase a High-Efficiency Washing Machine

About 20% of most households’ water use can be attributed to washing clothes. Energy-star certified washing machines can use up to 40% less water than their counterparts. Additionally, front-loading machines use less water than top loaders. Energy-efficient machines save water by not filling the drum all the way. You will want to be sure to purchase laundry detergents intended for energy-efficient machines.

• Switch to a Low-Flow Bathroom

As much as 30% of most household water use happens in the bathroom. Regular-flow toilets use as much as six gallons of water per flush, while low-flow models use less than two. A low flow showerhead can reduce water consumption in the shower by about a half-gallon a minute. 

Whether you are interested in conserving water for environmental or financial reasons, these five household changes can reduce your water consumption at home. Your planet and your wallet will thank you.