Public Utilities - Water Division

Water Conservation

You can reduce your water and sewer expenses by conserving water throughout your home.

Water Conservation Devices

In the Bathroom

• Don't leave the faucet running when you use the sink. Instead, fill a glass to brush your teeth or partially fill the basin to wash or shave. Turn the water on again to rinse your brush, razor or washcloth.
• Install a water-saving shower head. Older heads use 5-10 gallons per minute (gpm). All new fixtures use approximately 2.5 gpm and offer equal water coverage and force. Available free from the City of Clearwater. Call (727) 562-4960 for details.
• Install a faucet aerator on the bathroom faucets. Available free from the City of Clearwater. Call (727) 562-4960 for details.
• Many high water consumption problems stem from toilets which slowly leak water because of bad valves, improperly positioned float arms or defective overflow tubes. Call the (727) 562-4960 to request free water conservation devices, as well as dye tablets which can be used to detect leaky toilets.
• Don't use your toilet as a wastebasket; unnecessary flushing wastes water.
• If you do not already have a water-saving toilet, or conservation device, consider putting a jug filled with water in your toilet tank to take up space. Your tank will fill more quickly and you will use less water per flush.

In the Kitchen

• Rinse dishes, vegetables and fruits in a filled basin, rather than under running water. Water your plants with left-over rinse water. (Plants also love fish tank water!)
• Wash only full loads in the dishwasher. Use the "light wash" setting when possible.
• Install a faucet aerator on the kitchen faucet available from the City of Clearwater.
• Keep a jug of chilled water in the refrigerator for drinking. It tastes better this way, too!

In the Laundry

• Wash only full loads of clothing. Hand wash single garments.
• Consider purchasing a suds saver for reusing lightly soiled wash water.

Outside

• Water your lawn only in the cool parts of the day to minimize evaporation. How much is enough? Place a tuna or cat food can on the lawn in reach of the sprinkler. When the can is full, your yard has had sufficient watering (1"). Light sprinklings tend to evaporate quickly and encourage shallow root growth. Heavy sprinklings run off and waste water. Listen to weather forecasts to avoid unnecessary watering. Avoid watering the driveway and street, too!
• Let your grass grow longer in warm months to discourage evaporation and lawn burn.
• Limit the amount of turf in your yard and grow plants which require little water.
• Sweep off your driveway, walks and patio rather than hosing them off.
• Buy a trigger nozzle for your hose rather than leaving the water running between uses.
• Cover pools when not in use to prevent evaporation.
• Mulch outdoor plants to help the soil retain moisture.
• Use reclaimed water, if available.
• Xeriscape Landscaping