The amount of water each household spends on water depends on several factors.

The number of people in the household, the amount of watering needed for the yard and the lifestyle (i.e. how many loads of laundry are done each week?, etc.).

But, according to the research group Circle of Blue, the average amount spent on water in American households in 2016 is anywhere from $15.00 to $77.00 per month.

The cost of water increased slightly from 2017 to 2018 so we are all paying just a bit more these days. It makes sense to begin thinking about how to reduce your monthly water bills.

This article will give you some advice from the professional plumbers at Atlantis Plumbing in Atlanta, Ga. on how you can do just that!

20 Tips On How To Save On Your Water Bills

  1. Run Your Appliances Less – use your dishwasher and washing machine when they are full. But note that you should never “stuff” you washing machine with clothing. They won’t get clean that way.
  2. Upgrade Your Appliances – these days many appliances have water saving technology built in. If your appliances are old – it may be worth your while to upgrade them and save on your water bills in the long run.
  3. Stop Using The Permanent Press Cycle – if you use “permanent press cycle” in your washing machine – know that it tends to use 5 gallons of water more in it’s rinse cycle. Use less detergent if you feel that your clothes need that extra rinse.
  4. Cut Your Shower Time – there are some of us who just love to linger in the shower but if you’re serious about saving money on your water bills you can cut your shower time. On average, a 10 minute shower uses up 133 liters of water. That comes out to 35 gallons of water. Here in Atlanta’s Cobb County, the cost of 1 gallon of water is about .011 cents. So, a 10 minute shower comes out to approximately .40 cents. Thirty days of 10 minute showers comes out to $12.00 for the month, per person.
  5. Using a timer in the bathroom or on your smart phone can help you keep your time down in the shower.
  6. Shower Instead Of Baths – there are some of us who love bathing vs. showering. There are many benefits, yes but bathing can use up more water. You don’t have to give up your luxury baths but you can cut back on them (maybe once a week instead of twice) and you can also fill the tub a bit less. It will save you in the long run.
  7. Collecting Rainwater – harvesting rainwater is a great way to get water for your lawn, car washing, etc. Although this practice is Federally legal, there are state regulations on the amount you can collect and the methods you use. The worldwaterreserve.com has a great list of water collection regulations per state.
  8. Drought Resistant Plants and/or Xeriscaping – Of course if you REALLY want to save water on your yard, you can go the extra mile and plant only drought-resistant plants, grasses, etc. Use the techniques for Xeriscape Landscaping to help you.
  9. Timing Your Sprinklers – the best times of day to run your sprinklers or water your lawn is in the early morning, the late afternoon or early evening. If you water your lawn in the middle of the day, the heat of the sun tends to evaporate the water so you end up having to use more.
  10. Reduce Amount Of Water When Flushing – you’ve probably heard this one before but putting a plastic soda bottle filled with pebbles and water (to keep it weighed down) in your toilet tank will help you to reduce the amount of water you use when you flush the toilet.
  11. Install Low Flow Toilets – if you are remodeling or building a new home, we recommend installing low flow toilets in your bathroom(s).
  12. Toilet Tank Flapper – another idea for your toilet tank is to be pro-active and replace your toilet flapper once a year. They tend to break frequently and it’s a very low cost method to save money on your water bill.
  13. That Backyard Pool – if you’re fortunate enough to own your own pool, make sure to cover it in the winter. It will reduce the amount of water that evaporates.
  14. Be Conservative Outdoors – when it comes to washing your car or spraying down a sidewalk or driveway – be conservative by turning the water off when not absolutely necessary. Sweep the sidewalk or driveway instead of using water to clean it, etc.
  15. Use Low Flow Gadgets – there are several gadgets that you can use in your shower, sinks, etc. that will reduce the amount of water that is being used every time you turn it on.
  16. Instant Hot Water – another gadget to mention is an Instant Hot Water System that can be installed under your kitchen sink. This is a great way to get hot water instantly. This eliminates the need to wait for the faucet water to get hot.
  17. Repair Leaks As Soon As Possible – don’t wait to fix any water leaks in your home. Of course, in addition to the extra water bill expense, these leaks could cause more costly damage to your house. Call a professional plumber for water leak detection and repairs immediately.
  18. Cut Your Sink Water Amount – while you’re brushing your teeth or shaving, turn the water in the sink off. We know this takes a little bit of practice, but you’ll be happier when your water bill arrives.
  19. Collect Used Water – water from pet bowls, drinking glasses, cooking, etc. can all be collected and used to water plants, garden, etc. But don’t use hot water on any plants, let it cool off to room temperature first.
  20. Get Your Rebates – there are rebates available for all your hard work in making changes in order to save on water. Check out the Saving Water Partnership website for info about money saving rebates.

How Much Is The Average Water Bill Per Month?

As we said earlier in this article, the price of water varies greatly depending on your location. In Los Angeles, Ca. the average cost for water per household of four is approximately $100.00 per month. (newsdeeply.com)

In Georgia the average cost is $134.14 per month (smartasset.com)

But according to creditdonkey.com – the average expense for water, per household is $104.00 per month.

Does Flushing Your Toilet Affect Your Water Bill?

The short answer is YES.

Typically, an older toilet uses anywhere from 3.5 to 7 gallons of water per flush. The newer toilets use anywhere from 1.28 to 1.6 gallons per flush. So, using the average cost per gallon of water here in Georgia (which is 0.010 per gallon) the cost per flush for older toilets is anywhere from about 3 cents to 7 cents per flush.

Multiply that by the average number of times a toilet is flushed (which is 5 times) and the number of days per year. That comes out to anywhere from $54.75 up to $127.75.

Whereas a new toilet would cost you about $23.36 to $29.20.

So, if you want to save money on water – you could start saving some with a brand new toilet.

How Can I Lower My Water Bill In An Apartment?

The same tips that we listed above would work for an apartment dweller.

The one difference would be that if you live in an apartment you don’t have to worry about a yard to care for, although you could have a patio garden.

If you have any questions about how you can save on your water bill, call Atlantis Plumbing today at 770-505-8570. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.