Saving Water Starts at Home

Published on April 01, 2024

April is Water Conservation Month. The city of Clearwater encourages residents to conserve water year-round. Americans use about 100-125 gallons of water per day. The average faucet flows at a rate of two gallons per minute. A running toilet can waste up to 200 gallons of water per day. The average family in Clearwater uses 130 gallons of water each day.

By implementing a few simple strategies, you can help save not just money but also one of our greatest resources. Here are some things you can do:

Fix leaking toilets and drippy faucets. It is not uncommon for a leaky toilet to add hundreds (or thousands) of dollars to your water bill. A one-drip-per-second leak can waste as much as seven gallons of water in one day. Take time this month to fix your leaky faucets or toilet flappers.
Take showers instead of baths, since a typical five-minute shower uses about 28 gallons less water than a bath.
Turn off the faucet when brushing your teeth and you could save up to four gallons each morning and night.
Check your outdoor sprinkler system and adjust sprinklers so only your lawn is watered -- not the house, sidewalk or street.
Comply with watering restrictions by watering your lawn during the authorized days and times. Restrictions can change regularly.
Use a hose with a shutoff nozzle when hand-washing your car, so you aren’t wasting water while washing your vehicle.
Install low-flow water devices. Water-saving devices include low-flow showerheads, sink aerators and toilet tummies.
Wash clothes in cold water as often as you can, and use the smallest load function possible on your washing machine.

Join us in the effort to save water. Questions about water leaks and utility bills can be directed to the city’s Utility Customer Service Department at (727) 562-4600.