How to Save Money on Your Water Bill

The average water bill in the U.S. is about $70 per month,¹ a number that may increase as municipalities struggle with inflation and rising costs of utility-related infrastructure.²

While water bill costs vary depending on where you live, it can add up if you’re not careful. Some simple upgrades to your plumbing fixtures and personal habits can cut down on how much water you use. And that can add up to big water bill savings over time.

6 Ways to Lower Your Water Bill

The average American family uses over 300 gallons of water per day at home.³ But your household water usage, and your water bill, can be cut significantly by implementing some simple tips. Here are five easy ways to get started:

1. Flush less water
   What uses the most water in a house? Believe it or not, it’s your toilet – 18-24 gallons a day. And the older your toilet, the more water it uses. Older toilets (i.e. not low-flow) use three gallons per flush. Switching to a low-flow model splits that number in half, just 1.5 gallons per flush.⁴

2. Replace your showerhead
   After your toilet, showers use the most water in your house, accounting for at least 20% of total water usage.⁴ Regular showerheads use about 2.5 gallons per minute (gpm). Low-flow showerheads decrease usage to 2 gpm, which can translate into big savings. In fact, the average U.S. household can save some 2,900 gallons of water every year by installing just one low-flow showerhead.⁵

3. Take shorter showers
   While we’re talking about bathing, reel in those long showers. Even a 10-minute shower, with a low-flow showerhead, still uses 20 gallons of water. Time yourself. Or take it one step further with a “Navy shower.” This tactic, which has you lather up with the water off, can reduce up to one-third of the water you’d use with a regular shower.

4. Use the dishwasher
   You may think that hand-washing your dishes is the best way to go – for your water bill and the environment. But it’s actually more economical, and earth-friendly, to use the dishwasher. That’s because while the average dishwasher uses about six gallons of water per cycle, your kitchen faucet uses about two gallons of water per minute.⁶ So unless you can wash all of your dishes in 3 minutes or less, you’ll save more on your water bill by using the dishwasher.

5. Switch to a high-efficiency washer
   High-efficiency (HE) washing machines are another great way to shrink your water bill. Switching to an HE washer from a non-HE model can save an average household 6,000 gallons of water per year.⁷ They also use less energy, so you’ll save on electric as well.

6. Check for drips, leaks and cracks
   Household leaks can waste up to 180 gallons per week – that’s 9,400 gallons of water a year.⁸ Checking your home for leaks is an easy way to lower your water bill. The easiest fixtures to check for issues are faucets and toilets. It’s also possible to have leaking pipes in your walls. If you feel like your water bill is too high based on your usage and you have no leaking hardware, consult a professional plumber. The cost of a plumbing visit can be a lot less than the potential water cost, and even damage, caused by a hidden leak.

Quick tips to save on your water bill

From your sink to your garden, here are more easy tips that can help decrease water bill costs:

• Turn off the faucet while you brush your teeth or shave
  When brushing your teeth, only run the faucet when you need to wet your brush and rinse your mouth. When shaving, fill a cup with water to rinse your razor between swipes or pool water in your sink.

• Only wash full loads of laundry and dishes
  Most clothes washers and dishwashers use the same amount of water for every load, big or small. Try your best to make sure each load you start is full to capacity.

• Don't let the hose run
  It’s easy to let the hose run when washing your car or watering your lawn. Install a hose nozzle to stop the flow when you don’t need water.

• Collect rainwater for plants
  Rain barrels are a popular way to lower water usage and give your plants clean, fresh rainwater. Look for one at your local home improvement store or make your own.

A lower water bill awaits

Saving money on your water bill is simple: the less you use, the less you pay. Even if you only implement one of these suggestions, you’ll be using less water than you did before. That’s a win for not just your wallet, but the planet as well

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This article has been updated from previous postings on June 23, 2016, and February 7, 2021. Matt Diehl contributed.

1. https://www.epa.gov/watersense/how-we-use-water
2. http://www.showerremedy.com/best-low-flow-shower-heads
3. https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/credits-and-deductions/help/can-i-claim-energy-efficient-appliances-or-energy-saving-home-improvements/00/25788