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Water-Saving Tips
Quick Contact Numbers
Division | Number |
---|---|
Engineering Transportation | 410-535-2204 |
Project Management | 410-535-2204 |
Water and Sewer | 410-535-1600 Ext. 2554 |
Highway Maintenance | 410-535-0905 |
Solid Waste | 410-326-0210 |
Fleet Maintenance | 410-535-0167 |
Retrofit or Replace Water Fixtures
Water-saving devices are economical and permanent. Low-flow shower heads and faucet aerators save valuable water and energy used to heat water without requiring changes in personal water use habits. The following chart highlights how much water can be conserved by installing water-saving equipment in place of conventional plumbing fixtures, fittings and appliances.
Conventional Fixture / Appliance | Water Use (gallons) | Water -Saving Fixture / Appliance | Water Use (gallons) | Water Savings (gallons) |
Conventional toilet** | 3.5 per flush | Low-consumption toilet*** | 1.6 per flush | 1.9 gallons per flush |
Conventional shower head | 3 to 10 per minute | Low-flow shower head | 2 to 2.5 per minute | 0.5 to 8 per minute |
Faucet aerator* | 3 to 6 per minute | Flow-regulating aerator | 0.5 to 2.5 per minute | 0.5 to 5.5 per minute |
Top-loading washer | 40 to 55 per load | Front-loading washer | 22 to 25 per load | 15 to 33 per load |
Vintage toilet* | 4 to 6 per flush | Low-consumption toilet*** | 1.6 per flush | 1.9 gallons per flush |
*Manufactured before 1978
**Manufactured from 1978-1993
***Manufactured since January 1, 1994
Repair All Leaks
A dripping faucet is more than annoying; it is expensive. Even small leaks can waste significant amounts of water. Hot water leaks are a waste of water and of the energy used to heat the water. Leaks inside the toilet can waste up to 200 gallons of water a day. Toilet leaks can be detected by adding a few drops of food coloring to water in the toilet tank. If the colored water appears in the bowl, the toilet is leaking.
If you have a leaking faucet or toilet, stop pouring money down the drain, and repair it.
Additional Water-Saving Information