Water Conservation

Usage Standards
Based on metered data, a typical residence uses 160 gallons of water per day in non-irrigating months. This averages to 4,800 gallons of indoor water usage each month.

Irrigation studies have determined typical turf grass has a water consumption rate of 1.32 acre-feet over 153 days of irrigation. With losses from sprinkler irrigation and adjustments for elevation, the application rate becomes about 1.55 acre-feet. This means for a 1/3 acre property (14,520 square feet) with 40% lawn, on average the most water needed is 440 gallons per day.  This amount is higher on hotter days and lower on cooler days. This averages to 13,200 gallons per month of irrigation usage. Lawn Irrigation Requirements for the Bozeman area were calculated using the Montana Irrigation Guide.(Source: MT Irrigation Guide)

Typical indoor water use: (Sources: American Water, Maryland Department of the Enviroment)

Checking For Leaks
Leaks, even seemingly small, can generate large amounts of water loss. A toilet with a worn or warped flapper can lose 200 or more gallons per day. A leaky faucet or showerhead can lose 3,000 gallons or more each year. (Source: Environmental Protection Agency)

The quickest way to check if you have a leak is to check if water is moving into the house. First, turn off all the water inside and outside the house. Also make sure no appliances that use water are running. Next, locate your water meter. These are typically located in a basement or crawl space. On the face of the meter is a red dial. If the dial is spinning, there is water being used or lost.

Water Meter

To check if a toilet is leaking, place a few drops of food coloring in the tank. If in a few minutes coloring shows up in the toilet bowl, there is a leak that needs to be repaired. Check for wet spots or stains under or behind dishwashers or washing machines to see if these appliances are leaking. (Source: American Water)

Wise Water Use
Reducing the amount of household water use saves both water and money. There are many ways in which you can reduce the amount of water used in your household.

• Only run a dishwasher when full and use water-saver cycle when available.
• Only run full loads or adjust water level to match load size when doing laundry.
• Do not let water run while you brush your teeth or shave.
• Take shorter showers.
• Replace faucets and showerheads with low-flow models.
• Replace toilets with new water saving models or retrofit old toilets with water-saving devices.
• Regularly check for leaks.
• Water your lawn or garden in the coolest part of the day and only when needed.