Conserve water indoors
Conserve water indoors
Why?
No matter what this year's winter rains delivered, we know that California has a feast-or-famine pattern of rainfall – one that’s greatly intensified by the climate crisis.
You can learn more about your water use at the City of Petaluma website or schedule a Water-Wise HouseCall, and keep up to date on the latest water-use restrictions.
Schedule free WaterWise HouseCall
A Water-Wise HouseCall is a personalized program to help you use water more efficiently both inside and outside your home. By using less water, you are doing the right thing while lowering your water and sewer costs!
With each Water-Wise HouseCall, a trained water efficiency professional will assess your current water usage by performing the following tasks:
Provide free high-efficiency faucet aerators, shower heads, and toilet leak detection tablets if needed.
Share details about how to qualify for high-efficiency toilet and clothes washer rebates.
Outline the best and most practical ways to maximize water savings.
Manually run irrigation systems and visually inspect for leaks and broken sprinkler heads.
Identify areas of the system that may need maintenance or upgrades.
Provide an efficient irrigation schedule for your timer if you have one. We’ll even program the timer for you!
Provide free automatic shut-off hose-end nozzles if needed.
Check your water meter and teach you how to read it so you can monitor your water use.
Help in identifying if there is a leak in or outside of your home.
Find and fix plumbing leaks
Toilet leaks are often silent and can waste hundreds of gallons of water per day, making the toilet the number one cause for a high-water bill.
Got (or suspect) a leak and don’t know the source? According to Angi, there are at least 10 ways to look for clues, such as checking your water meter and utility bills, inspecting the yard, or looking under appliances. Click the link for details.
Depending upon the source of the problem, you may be able to fix it yourself. But in most cases, it makes sense to hire a plumber or other professional to ensure the job’s done right and will be less likely to happen again in the future.
Angi: 10 Genius Tips to Help You Find Out Where That Leak Is Coming From
City of Petaluma: Save Water: Check for Leaks
Install low-flow fixtures
Did you know that showering accounts for nearly 17% of residential indoor water use? By switching out your old shower head, you could save around 3,000 gallons a year! Our city provides a variety of free water-saving devices, such as low-flow shower heads and hose nozzles, making it really easy to do your part. And never fear: This doesn't require major do-it-yourself skills. Learn more here.
City of Petaluma: Water Conservation
City of Petaluma: Free water-conserving devices
Install low-flow appliances (building owner)
On average, toilets use up to a third of indoor water. If you have a toilet manufactured before 1995, it uses more than three times as much water as a newer model. When you shop for a new toilet, consider a dual-flush model, which may cost a bit more but uses no more than one gallon per flush for liquid waste.
When shopping for washing machines or dishwashers, be sure to choose one that meets ENERGY STAR criteria – or even better, ENERGY STAR "Most Efficient." These can save a considerable amount of water. And before you make a purchase, be sure to check for any tax credits, incentives, or rebates.
City of Petaluma: Water Conservation
Energy.gov: Guide to Home Water Efficiency
City of Petaluma: Water Conservation Rebate Programs
California Water Efficiency Partnership: Smart Rebates Program
Install on-demand hot water recirculator
Ever feel like you are wasting a lot of precious water waiting for it to get hot? If your hot water tank is far from your tap, then you need to flush out all the cold water in the pipe before the hot water can get to you. But there is a fix for this!
An on-demand recirculator uses motion sensing or a button to activate a pump that gets the hot water to your tap. It's better to opt for one with a button. That's because motion sensing may activate the pump anytime you get close, whether or not you need hot water!
Once the pump registers hot water coming into the line, it shuts off until the next time you need it. No wasted energy with those continuous recirculating systems and no wasted water running down the drain.
Energy Star - Demand hot water recirculating described
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