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 3 to 4 gallons of water per flush. A new, high efficiency toilet uses 1 gallon per flush or less and can save an average household gallons of water each month.
Fix a leaky toilet
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 colouring into the tank. If the colour appears in the bowl after 15-20 minutes, you have a leak.
- Install a low flow shower head
- 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.
Some things should not go down the toilet. We tested to see what happens to flushable wipes, paper towel, toilet paper and tissue when they are left in water. Watch to learn what paper products break down in water.