Whole-Home Water Conservation — FarmPal

Replace showerheads (2.5 → 1.5 GPM), faucet aerators (2.2 → 0.5 GPM for bathroom, 1.5 for kitchen), and toilets (old 3.5+ GPF → WaterSense 1.28 GPF or dual-flush).

• 💡 Low-flow showerheads have improved dramatically no more weak pressure
• 💡 Faucet aerators cost $3-8 and save thousands of gallons yearly
• 💡 Dual-flush toilets use 0.8 GPF for liquid, 1.28 for solid significant savings

A dripping faucet wastes 3,000+ gallons per year. A running toilet can waste 200 gallons per day. Check by reading meter before and after 2-hour no-use period.

• 💡 Toilet dye test: add food coloring to tank if color appears in bowl without flushing, flapper needs replacement ($5 fix)
• 💡 Most faucet drips are a $2 washer or O-ring replacement
• 💡 Underground leaks show as unexplained wet spots or high bills

Water wasted waiting for hot water adds up. Install a hot water recirculation pump or tankless point-of-use heater near distant fixtures.

• 💡 Insulate hot water pipes to reduce heat loss and wait time
• 💡 Catch "warming up" water in a bucket for plants
• 💡 Tankless water heaters save energy but also reduce water waste

Replace thirsty lawn with native plants, ground covers, and food-producing perennials. Mulch all beds 3-4 inches deep. Use drip irrigation instead of sprinklers.

• 💡 Native plants need zero supplemental irrigation once established
• 💡 Drip irrigation uses 30-50% less water than sprinklers
• 💡 3-4 inches of mulch reduces evaporation by 70%

Turn off water while brushing teeth (saves 3 gallons), take 5-minute showers (saves 12+ gallons vs 10-minute), run full loads in dishwasher and washer only.

• 💡 Navy shower technique (wet, turn off, soap, rinse) uses 3 gallons vs 17
• 💡 Dishwashers use less water than hand washing when full
• 💡 Front-load washers use 40% less water than top-load