Date Posted: May 23, 2025 12:28 pm
Oregon homeowners often balance the need to use water with the desire to conserve it. Saving water protects local rivers and streams and reduces monthly utility bills.
Learning a handful of effective water-saving tricks at home makes a difference for the environment and your wallet.
Even small changes in daily habits add up, and Oregon communities could use every drop saved.
Swapping out old toilets for WaterSense-labeled low-flow models is one of the easiest ways to cut water use at home. These toilets use less water per flush but still get the job done.
Older toilets—especially those before 1994—might use 3.5 gallons or more each flush. Newer WaterSense models keep it to 1.6 gallons or less, which helps save water without sacrificing performance.
Families can cut toilet water use by 20 to 60 percent by switching. That can mean real savings on water bills while helping Oregon preserve resources.
Most hardware stores carry low-flow toilets, and installation usually takes a few hours. If you’re handy, you can call a pro or do it yourself.
Switching out that old showerhead is a quick win. New 1.5-gallon-per-minute (GPM) models use much less water than the older ones, which often run at 2.5 GPM or more.
A 1.5 GPM showerhead can cut household water use without making showers feel weak. You still get good water pressure, but you’re not wasting gallons. Plus, you’ll use less energy to heat all that water.
The Portland Water Bureau suggests these models, and the EPA claims families can save thousands of gallons per year with this one change.
Replacing a showerhead is a simple DIY project. Most folks can do it in minutes with basic tools, which is not bad for such a big impact.
Faucet aerators are tiny add-ons that screw onto the end of your faucet. They mix air into the water, giving you a steady stream but using less water overall.
Install aerated faucet aerators on every sink, and you’ll see a difference. Some models use just 1.0 gallon per minute, which is plenty for most tasks.
Aerators make the water stream smoother and help prevent splashing. Washing hands or dishes feels just as good, but you’re saving water. Aerators are a quick, cheap fix for anyone looking to shave a bit off their water bill.
According to experts, faucet aerators can save up to 700 gallons a year per household. They’re sold at hardware stores and take only a few minutes to install. How to Conserve Water in Your Home | City of Prinevillee Oregon
Pick the right flow rate for each sink. Kitchens usually need a higher-flow aerator, while bathrooms do fine with less. Upgrading all your faucets helps conserve water over time, and you’ll notice the difference.
Tired of rising water bills? Let Modern Plumbing check and fix your faucet or toilet leaks today—affordable, fast, and trusted by Oregon homeowners since 1959. Book your consultation now.
If you’re ready to get started, call us now!
Turning off the tap when brushing teeth or shaving is simple, but it matters. Many people leave the water running and don’t realize how much goes down the drain.
Leaving the tap on can waste up to 4 gallons per minute. Multiply that by a few people and you’re talking thousands of gallons a year.
Wet your toothbrush or razor, turn off the tap, and run it only when you need to rinse. This tiny habit can add up to real savings.
By making this switch, households can save up to 8 gallons per person daily. That’s not bad for something that takes almost no effort.
Teaching kids to do this helps, too. Over time, these little changes become second nature for everyone at home.
Running your dishwasher only when it’s packed makes a lot of sense. A full load uses the same amount of water as a half-empty one, so waiting saves water over time.
This simple change can cut household water use and reduce energy bills. A dishwasher is often more efficient than hand-washing—ensure it’s full before running it.
Older dishwashers might be water hogs, but newer, efficient models use as little as four gallons per load. Skip the pre-rinse, scrape off food scraps, and let the machine do its job.
Scraping food off your dishes before loading the dishwasher saves a surprising amount of water. Most modern dishwashers don’t need you to pre-rinse anyway.
Pre-rinsing can waste several gallons every time. To eliminate leftovers, just use a spatula or utensil—usually, that’s all you need.
When you skip rinsing, your dishwasher works more efficiently and uses less water. This small change pays off over time.
Dishwasher detergents are designed to tackle some leftover food, so don’t worry about skipping the rinse. If you run the dishwasher often, you could save dozens of gallons each week.
The Regional Water Providers Consortium recommends scraping, not rinsing. This method works well for everyday meals and big family gatherings.
This switch is easy and reduces water bills. Plus, it’s better for the planet.
The best time to water plants? Early morning or late evening, hands down. The sun isn’t blasting, and the temperature’s cooler, so less water evaporates.
Morning watering gives plants a head start and lets leaves dry before nightfall, which can help prevent certain plant diseases. Evening works too, as long as you don’t soak the leaves right before dark.
Watering during cooler times lets your plants soak up more moisture.
Consistent timing helps plants grow deep, healthy roots. It’s a small tweak, but your garden and water bill will thank you.
If you’re ready to get started, call us now!
Sprinklers spraying the sidewalk or driveway? That’s just wasted water and money. Adjusting the heads keeps water on the lawn or garden where it belongs.
You usually only need a small screwdriver to make adjustments. Turn the screw on top to change the spray distance—clockwise for more, counterclockwise for less.
Dialing in your sprinklers helps avoid watering places that don’t need it. It also reduces runoff and keeps extra water out of storm drains, which is good for everyone.
Check sprinkler settings in spring and summer. Even tiny tweaks can mean big water savings and a healthier lawn all season.
Composting food scraps is a smart way to cut water use in the kitchen. Garbage disposals need running water to work, and that adds up fast. Composting skips all that.
A compost bin or pile collects fruit peels, veggie trimmings, coffee grounds, eggshells, and more. These break down into soil for your garden, reducing food waste and water bills.
Composting at home also helps the environment. When food scraps end up in landfills, they produce harmful gases, but composting keeps them out and returns nutrients to the earth.
Oregon encourages composting as a year-round way to manage kitchen waste and save water. Several methods are available, including indoors and outdoors.
Leaking faucets and running toilets waste a surprising amount of water. Even a tiny drip can add up to hundreds of gallons over time.
Fixing small leaks is usually simple. You can often get it done with just a few basic tools.
A worn-out washer or a loose connection usually causes a leaky faucet. Most folks can handle tightening parts or swapping out washers on their own.
Jumping on these repairs right away prevents water from going down the drain, which could reduce your water bill.
Running toilets? They use way more water than most people realize. Checking for leaks is pretty straightforward.
Just add a drop of food coloring to the toilet tank. You may have a leak if you see color in the bowl after 10 minutes.
Ready to upgrade your fixtures? Modern Plumbing helps Oregon homeowners install smarter, water-saving solutions that cut costs year-round, from WaterSense toilets to low-flow showerheads. Contact us today.
What are the best ways to save water at home in Oregon?
Switching to low-flow fixtures, fixing leaks, composting food scraps, and adjusting outdoor watering times are effective and easy ways to save water in Oregon households.
How much water can a WaterSense toilet save?
WaterSense-labeled toilets use 1.6 gallons or less per flush and can reduce toilet water use by 220%–60 %, saving thousands of gallons yearly.
Are 1.5 GPM showerheads effective?
Yes. They maintain strong water pressure while reducing water waste. Switching from a 2.5 GPM model can save up to 2,900 gallons per person annually.
Does turning off the tap while brushing help?
Yes. It can save up to 8 gallons of water per person per day. Over a year, this simple habit change makes a big environmental and financial impact.
Should I pre-rinse dishes before using the dishwasher?
No. Scraping is enough. Modern dishwashers and detergents are built to handle food residue, so skipping the rinse saves water and energy.
When should I water outdoor plants to save water?
Water should be used early or late in the evening to minimize evaporation. This keeps plants hydrated longer and reduces water waste.
How do I check for a leaking toilet?
Put a few drops of food coloring in the tank. If the color appears in the bowl within 10 minutes, you have a leak that should be fixed.
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