Using Water Wisely at Home
Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) is a proud member of the Saving Water Partnership. Through this regional program, we offer tips, tools, and rebates to help people preserve our region’s water for future generations. When we work together to use water wisely, it adds up to make a big difference.
Rebates
Upgrading to efficient fixtures and appliances saves water and can help you get the lowest utility bill possible. Replacing older toilets could help your household cut 22 percent of your daily indoor water use. Learn more about rebates to replace water-inefficient equipment, including:
- A $100 toilet rebate
- Up to $100 in sprinkler timer rebates
Free toilets for low-income customers
We also offer free water-saving toilets for income-qualified homeowners. Toilets are the biggest water-user in most homes. Replacing an older toilet with a new, water-efficient toilet will save water and money on your water and sewer bill.
Find and fix leaks
Leaks waste water and are important to fix right away. Overall, 12% of water used in homes is lost to leaks. Your home could be wasting water without you realizing. Learn about common water-wasting leaks and how to reduce your chance of getting an unexpected, high water bill.
Save water inside your home
Check your toilet. Toilets account for a quarter of all water use in homes, more than any other category, making them a great place to start if you want to use less water. A running or leaky toilet can add hundreds (even thousands) of dollars to your bill. New, rebate-eligible toilets meet rigorous flushing performance criteria and will use 30 to 80 percent less water than your older toilet.
Regularly review your water bill. Knowing the patterns of your normal water use will help you identify leaks as soon as possible and understand how your household uses water.
Upgrade your showerhead. After your toilet, your shower is the next largest water user in your home. You can save 2,300 gallons of water per year by replacing your inefficient showerheads. Look for the WaterSense label for products that are independently certified to ensure a high level of customer satisfaction with performance as well as water efficiency.
Save water on your lawn and garden
Review your watering practices. Make sure your sprinklers are watering the landscape, not the street or sidewalk. Set sprinkler schedules to water at night or in the early morning.
Sign up for a class to learn more. The Saving Water Partnership sponsors free gardening classes in the spring and fall to help you create and maintain beautiful, healthy landscapes that use water wisely.
Invest in the basics. Add mulch and compost to your landscapes to help build healthy soil. You can pick plants that grow well in the sun, soil, and drainage conditions of your yard to help you water efficiently year after year.
Additional resources