Water is a sneaky utility — each drop of water costs money, and, in the case of a faulty appliance or a leaking toilet, you could end up spending your hard-earned money on something that’s going right down the drain.
Discovering (and stopping) the reasons your water bill goes up is a great way to save more money . Here are 12 easy ways you can stop wasting money on water.
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1. You may have a leak in your pipes
With a faucet or a toilet inside your home, you generally know when you have a leak. You either hear the toilet running or the drip-drip from your faucet. But a leak in your pipes is harder to detect.
If your bill is running higher than normal and you can’t find an obvious explanation, it’s time to inspect your pipes for leaks.
Own a car? Here's 7 warning signs you're paying too much for car insurance. 2. You’re running the faucet
The old adage, “Never let the water run,” was on to something. Water costs money, and running the faucet when you’re not using it is like washing dollars down the drain.
Turn off the faucet while you brush your teeth or do dishes.
3. Your hot water heater needs attention
Hot water heaters are a common spot for undiagnosed leaks.
If you notice your water bill going up, check your hot water heater to ensure there’s no leak or that you’re not overdue on maintenance.
Own a car? Here's 7 warning signs you're paying too much for car insurance. 4. Your water meter is broken
Just like the driver who gets a speeding ticket and has their speedometer recalibrated, it might be worth checking to see if your water meter is calibrated correctly.
If it’s not, it could be showing incorrect usage, which could cost you money.
5. Your area has increased rates
The rates for water have gone up in recent years — in some areas by as much as 50%. That’s a quick way to watch your bill go up, and unfortunately, that one is entirely beyond your control.
6. Your toilet is running
A toilet that continues running after it’s been flushed uses water continuously — that’s what causes that running sound.
Every drop costs a fraction of a cent, and those pennies add up over time, day in and day out.
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If your bathroom or kitchen faucet is dripping, you’re not only wasting water, which is bad from an environmental standpoint, but you’re also wasting dollars.
This could add up to 20 gallons of water a day, which means your water bill will start to go sky-high.
8. You have an old showerhead
Older showerheads use more water than newer low-flow models.
Replacing it with a newer model is an easy DIY project that saves major money on your water bill.
9. You prioritize watering the lawn during the summer
A green lawn is nice, but is it worth the high water bill? Keeping your yard lush during the summer requires a major investment of water and money.
Look into native landscaping for plants that will have success, even during soaring summer temperatures.
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10. You insist on pre-rinsing dishes
Pre-rinsing dishes is unnecessary with most modern dishwashers. Skip the pre-rinse to save on water and prevent each load of dishes from hitting your water bill twice.
11. Your irrigation system is leaking
Watering your lawn is expensive, but it’s even more expensive when your system leaks water all day.
Check whether there are wet spots throughout your yard, which could indicate that your system is watering your yard even when you think it’s off.
12. Your water softener is continuously using water
You may not like hard water, but softening it could be costing you.
Some water softener systems run continuously, which means you’re constantly consuming water and driving up your bill.
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Bottom line
One of the most effective ways to stop wasting money on your water bill, beyond eliminating any leaks, is to upgrade your appliances to water-saving newer models.
This could mean you’ll use less water on a dishwasher load than washing a few dishes and less water on a load of laundry than handwashing your items.
Technology can mean both efficiency and sustainability in these cases.
Money tips that can work for everyone
No matter what your bank account balance is, there's always an opportunity to optimize and improve your finances. Here's a quick checklist of things you can look at today.
Focus on paying off your debt. Debt can hold you back from making progress with your overall financial well-being. Aside from cutting expenses, there are tools that can help you pay off debt faster like balance transfer credit cards and debt counseling.
Earning extra income can give you breathing room. If finances are tight, earning some extra money to supplement your income can make a huge difference. A new job is one option to consider, but if you're not ready to make a big change or already retired, a part-time side job could be a better choice.
Cut your expenses. It sounds painful and so not fun, but it doesn't have to be. Take a look at your biggest expenses because that's where you'll probably find the biggest savings. For example, auto insurance rates have been soaring so shopping around for a new insurance company can be the fastest way to cut your bill. Also, look for ways to cut your grocery bill (despite rising inflation).
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