• Clothes washers - Consider the purchase of a new water efficient clothes washer which can save up to 5,100 gallons of water per year.
• Showers - Take shorter showers and install a low flow showerhead. Low flow showerheads use 2.5 gallons per minute or less.
• Faucets - Turn off the faucet when brushing teeth or shaving. Install an aerator on the faucet.
• Leaks - Fix leaks quickly. Even a small leak can waste a large amount of water if not repaired. A leak that drips once per minute will waste 53 gallons per year. Check the irrigation system for broken or missing sprinkler heads. Toilets are the most common sources of leaks and can be checked for leaks with dye tablets. If your utility bill is unusually high or you suspect that you have a leak, call the Water & Sewer Utilities for a leak check appointment. A trained technician will help you identify leaking toilets, pipes, and fixtures.
• Dishwashers - Dishwashers use the same amount of water whether the load is full or just a couple of plates. Wait until the dishwasher is full to run the washer.
• Toilets - Toilets are the biggest users of water inside of a home. Ultra low flush toilets (ULFTs) use 1.6 gallons per flush compared to 5 to 8 gallons per flush for older toilets.
• Irrigation - Only water when the lawn needs it. Periodically check sprinklers and valves for leaks. Water in several short sessions rather than one long one. Adjust sprinklers so that the lawn is watered and not your sidewalk or driveway.
  

Informational brochures, low flow showerheads, low flow aerators, and dye tablets to check for leaks are available free to City of Santa Clara residents at the Water & Sewer Utilities office in City Hall. For more information on how to conserve water, and current rebate programs, check the Conservation Programs section of this website or call the City of Santa Clara Water and Sewer Utilities office at 615-2000.