Efficiency and conservation tips
Did you know that toilets are the largest source of indoor water use in single-family homes? The average North American household uses 24% of their indoor water demand for flushing their toilet.
Fortunately your household can reduce toilet water usage by repairing toilet leaks or by installing new water efficient toilets.
Older toilet models can use as much as 13 to 20 litres of water per flush. A new, high efficiency toilet uses 4.8 litres per flush or less and can save an average household thousands of litres of water each month.
Fix a leaky loo
About 12% of water in the average North American household is lost to leaks. Checking your toilet is a likely place to find these leaks. Sometimes the leak will be apparent; you can hear running water or a trickle. However, often the leak can be silent and are easily overlooked.
Tips to reduce water wastage
- Check your toilet for leaks regularly by putting a few drops of food coloring into the tank. If the color appears in the bowl after 15-20 minutes, you have a leak.
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Install a low flow shower head
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Replace older faucet aerators with new water efficient ones
- Install a high efficiency, WaterSense labelled toilet.
- Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth or shaving.
- Take a short, five-minute shower instead of a bath.
Think before you flush
Many items that are flushed down the toilet are harmful to both the environment and the wastewater collection and treatment system. Our Watershed Protection Plan helps us minimize our effect on our water ecosystem. Learn more about items that are bad for your sewer and your local watershed and where household waste has its place.
