Why is the water bill so high? Most homeowners get an unpleasant surprise when they receive their water bill. Suddenly there is a spike and nobody knows where it came from. Increases in water bills are usually due to excessive use of water by residents who live in the home. This is easy to do since a four-minute shower uses 20 to 40 gallons of water. Water conservation can save money! Consider implementing the tips below into your water conservation efforts.

  • Check for Leaks – The first thing you should do is check your home for leaks. This includes all faucets, shower heads, sprinkler systems and any other place water flows. Once you find a leak, get it fixed immediately. Avoiding fixing a leak can lead to expensive water bills and repair costs.
  • Invest in Floaters – You can find an affordable float booster at your local home repair store or online. Install it in the toilet tank. This simple trick can save more than ten gallons of water per day.
  • Don’t Leave the Water Running – Many homeowners are guilty of allowing the water to run while they do tasks such as dishwashing, brushing teeth, shaving and allowing the water to warm up. If a four-minute shower uses almost 40 gallons of water, how many gallons do you think it takes to wash dishes? Try your best to turn the faucet off while doing certain tasks.
  • Keep Drinking Water in a Bottle – Most people enjoy drinking cold water, especially on a hot day in South Florida. Did you know running your tap water while you wait for it to cool off wastes water? Instead, keep a bottle of drinking water on the kitchen counter or in the refrigerator or use ice cubes to cool your drinking water in a glass.
  • Install Low-Flow Faucets – Invest in low-flow faucet aerators and install them on all the faucets in your home. It reduces the amount of water that flows through the faucet and saves you money without having to worry.

If you live alone, you have full control of water use. However, if you live with your family it is difficult to control how others use the water. It’s important to discuss water conservation with your family. Everyone in the household needs to be aware of the issue and do their best to take part in controlling the amount of water they use. If you do all the tips listed above and your water bill is still high, you should contact a plumber immediately for a thorough inspection.