Your home's water footprint
How much water do I really use?
Every household's water use is different and may vary from month to month. A water footprint is an estimate of the water you and your family uses inside and outside of your home. This includes water from outdoor faucets, sinks, showers, baths, toilets, maching machines and dishwashers. knowing your home's water footprint helps you calculate your water use and identify simple ways for saving water in the home.
Review and chart your water bills
Gather your water bills and chart them by hand or by using a spreadsheet program. You'll notice a pattern of water use over time. Note activities that might cause the numbers to increase or decrease, including visiting guests or vacations.
Look for water leaks
Residential leaks are a larger issue than you might think. Nearly 15% of residential water is lost through leaky faucets and pipes.
Identify sources of water use
After you reviewed your bills and searched for leaks the next step is to identify the indoor water sources that may need updating to more efficient fixtures.
