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
General Services 410-535-1600, ext. 2327

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