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City of Ferndale: Water Saving Tips - Room by Room

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Water Saving Tips
Room by Room
Compiled by the staff of Ferndale City Hall

There are many things we can do to save water. Did you know that in the average home, twothirds of indoor water is used in the bathroom? Take some time to go through your house or apartment and look for ways to conserve!

BATHROOM
For toilets that use more than 3.5 gallons per flush (purchased before 1993):

  • Place a glass quart jar without a lid in the tank of your toilet as a displacement device.
  • Flush only when necessary and don't use your toilet as a garbage disposal. Replace old fixtures with new 1.6 gallon per flush models.
  • If your showerhead is more than 5 years old, switch to a high efficiency showerhead that uses 2.5 gallons per minute.
  • Take shorter showers!

Faucet pressure puts about 3 gallons a minute down your drain. To save water:

  • Install a 1.5 gallon per minute aerator in the faucet and cut water use in half.
  • Use faucets at less than full pressure.
  • Turn off the water while brushing your teeth, washing you face, or shaving. Only run the water to rinse.
  • When shaving, put a stopper in the sink and dunk the razor instead of rinsing it under the faucet.

KITCHEN

  • Install an efficient faucet aerator.
  • Use faucets at less than full pressure.
  • Hand wash dishes by filling the sink or dishpan for washing and another for rinsing.
  • Fill the sink or dishpan to wash vegetables and other foods instead of rinsing them.
  • Keep a jug of drinking water in the refrigerator instead of running the tap water until cold. This also improves the taste!
  • When running the faucet for hot water, collect the initial cooler water for plants.

The dishwasher can be more water efficient than washing by hand if you:

  • Scrape the dishes instead of using the pre-rinse cycle.
  • Use the shortest running cycle you need for each job.
  • Only run a full load of dishes in the dishwasher.

The average washing machine uses 43 gallons of water per load.

  • Use the water level appropriate for your load.
  • Wash only when you have a full load.
  • Don't use the optional rinse cycle unless your clothes are really dirty!