Water Saving Tips and Resources
Repair Your Leaking Toilet!
A leaking toilet can waste hundreds of gallons of water each day. Learn how to check for leaks yourself. We're always happy to answer questions... and we have dye tabs and toilet parts available upon request.
Repair Household Leaks
If you suspect a leak, you can learn how to perform your own home water audit by checking out either the English version of AMWUA’s smart home water guide to leaks or the Spanish version of AMWUA's smart home water guide to leaks. You can also review your water use with the list provided on the WaterSense web site. The Water Use it Wisely website also has an audit list to see how well you score on your water consumption practices.
Harvest Rainwater & Grey Water for Your Landscaping Needs
One inch of rain will provide 600 gallons of water for every 1,000 square feet of roof! Learn more about rainwater harvesting and our rebate program. Using grey water or water from sinks, showers, and laundry for non-potable uses like irrigation can help reduce your water consumption. Rules established by the State of Arizona allow you to collect up to 400 gallons of grey water per day. More information about grey water harvesting in Coconino County can be found (PDF).
If Possible, Use Reclaimed Water for Landscape Irrigation
Reclaimed water is delivered to many areas of the City for irrigation and other uses; we deliver to 38 customers at 72 sites. Learn more about reclaimed water.
Upgrade Your Washing Machine
Newer high-efficiency washers use 18 to 35 gallons per load. Compare this to an older model and you can quickly see a savings in both money, water and energy costs.
Protect Your Pipes from Freezing
Cold weather and burst lines can waste water and cause extensive damage to your home. Be sure to disconnect hoses, place insulated covers on your outdoor faucets, keep your garage door closed (especially at night), and insulate your water lines in cooler areas, such as in the garage or by outside walls. You’ll be glad you did!
Check out this video on how to fix a leaky outdoor faucet.
Resources
- Arizona Water Awareness Month website
- EPA video on saving water in the shower with WaterSense showerheads
- National Geographic’s water footprint calculator
- Bottled Water Disaster — a presentation on the impacts of using bottled water (PDF)
- The Water-wise Home by Laura Allen
- ADWR Grey Water Regulations for Home Owners
- Landscape Watering by the Numbers Guide
- Water Casa (Water Conservation Alliance of Southern Arizona)
- Residential Rainwater Harvesting
- University of Arizona Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Program
Visit the City's xeriscape (or low water, drought-tolerant plant) demonstration garden at the Milligan House next to City Hall at 211 W Aspen Avenue. This garden demonstrates water conservation through proper irrigation methods, native low-water-use plants, and green infrastructure landscape design. It was funded by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (Water Conservation Field Services Program, Phoenix Area Office) and the City of Flagstaff. Design work was by Schaafsma Design.