How to Lower Your Water Bill

5 Easy Tips for Quick Savings

Lowering your water bill has many benefits — from increasing your personal budget to decreasing your impact on the environment. And while there are a number of expensive, big-ticket ways to do it — like buying newer, more efficient appliances — there are also plenty of other methods that don’t require spending hundreds or thousands of dollars.

In fact, lowering your water bill can be accomplished through easy DIY weekend projects or even just adopting some daily common-sense water habits. Our team at Albemarle County Service Authority has compiled five simple ways to save water that you can start incorporating today. Give them a try (even just one!) and watch your water bill drop! 

#1: Fix Leaks Promptly

Leaks from faucets and toilets are among the most common and costly reasons for unnecessarily high water bills. That steady drip from your kitchen tap adds up to several gallons of wasted water every day, and you’re paying for it. Same thing with a running toilet or that dripping outdoor sprayer. Even minor adjustments can have a surprisingly big effect on your bill!

The good thing is that most leaks can be repaired without having to call a plumber. You probably already have most of the tools you need, and a quick trip to the hardware store should cover any replacement parts or equipment. Many resources are available online to help guide you through simple fixes like leaky faucets and toilet flapper replacements. 

Pro-Tips for Fixing Leaks Yourself:

• Be sure to turn off the water valve to the appliance in question before you start working. It’s a mistake you’ll probably only make once!
• Keep a few dry towels on hand. Even with the water turned off, simple leak repairs can get messy.
• When replacing materials that keep water from flowing from one place (toilet tank) to another (bowl), quality matters. It’s worth it to spend a few more dollars on a higher-quality flapper or gaskets that will last longer. 
• It’s still a good idea to leave the big things to the professionals. This includes anything leaking under the house, in the walls or from appliances. 

Note: Need help identifying whether or not you have a leak? Check out our blog on how to find a water leak in your home. 

#2: Install Water-Efficient Fixtures

Similar to fixing leaks, installing water-efficient fixtures in your home doesn’t always require a plumber. In most cases, low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators are easy DIY projects and among the best bang-for-your-buck swaps in terms of lowering your water bill. Plus, once they’re installed, you’ll reap the benefits for years!

There are also some bigger-ticket installations you can add to your home like dual-flush toilets and low-flow faucets. Those fixtures are typically more costly and involve a higher degree of difficulty, but you’ll make up the cost over time in lower water bills. Beginning January 2025, ACSA offers a rebate program for low-flow toilets that provides rebates up to $150 per low-flow toilet installed in your home (up to three). For full requirements visit the ACSA Water Conservation home page. 

#3: Catch and Reuse Water Whenever Possible

Short of simply using less water, reusing water is among the easiest and most effective ways to lower your bill. Rainwater barrels are an excellent money-saving resource that use captured rainwater to offset what you would normally be paying for out of the spigot. As an added bonus, ACSA offers rebates up to $30 for the purchase of up to two rain barrels for your property. For full requirements read about the ACSA Rain Barrel Rebate Program. 

Another great way to reuse water is cascading plant stands, which allow you to stack flower pots one above another and funnel excess water to pots on lower levels. You can also recycle water used during cooking tasks — like washing vegetables and cooking rice or pasta — to water plants. Reused cooking water may even include nutrients that are beneficial to plants. Just be sure to let it cool first! 

#4: Be Smart About Lawn Care

Lawns and outdoor plants are notoriously thirsty, especially during hotter months. However, with a few water-saving tips, you can maximize your watering efficiency, keep your water bills low and still maintain your picturesque landscaping!

Pro-Tips for Water-Efficient Lawn Care:

• Water your lawn in the early morning or late evening to minimize evaporation.
• Use rain barrels to catch water for plants — see tip #3! 
• Grow drought-resistant plants that require less watering. There are many beautiful, colorful varieties like asters, black-eyed Susans and lantana to boost your curb appeal!

#5: Adopt Water-Saving Habits

When washing dishes, it’s easy to let the water run for a few extra seconds while you’re scrubbing away. However, consider that the average flow rate for a kitchen faucet is between 1.0 and 2.2 gallons per minute, meaning every four seconds is enough water to fill a drinking glass. The same is true for bathroom faucets and even higher for shower faucets, which can use as much as 3.0 gallons per minute! That’s not including dishwashers and laundry machines, which are among the biggest water-users in any home. 

But just as small instances of water waste can add up, so too can small instances of water conservation. Being mindful of your water use throughout the day is a great way to start. Begin with one activity, like brushing your teeth, and commit to only running the faucet when you need to. Before long, you’ll form a water-saving habit! 

Saving water — and by extension lowering your water bill — doesn’t have to be hard or expensive. It’s as simple as being mindful of your water usage, introducing a few small steps to your routine and incorporating a handful of one-time projects that are already within your skillset! Give some of our suggestions a try and see how low you can go. Visit the ACSA website for more tips and resources!