March 16-22 is Fix a Leak Week and March 22 is World Water Day. It takes a lot of energy to pump, treat and deliver water – often a municipality’s largest energy use. The user then pays for the energy to heat that water. A faucet that runs for five minutes uses about as much energy as a 60-watt light bulb running for 22 hours. Toilets and faucets account for 42 percent of indoor water use. Replacing older toilets can save 13,000 gallons of water per year and $2400 over the life of the toilet.
To calculate home water savings, use EPA’s WaterSense calculator. To find water-saving products from landscape irrigation controllers to showerheads, WaterSense products are third-party tested and certified for water use. Water efficiency strategies for water utilities and green infrastructure for municipalities to manage stormwater sustainably are other essential parts of effective water conservation.