Conservation Tips
Save Water. Save Money.
On June 3, 2026, the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments declared a regional Drought Watch.
Wise Water Use Outside Your Home
Outdoor water activities – while fun and refreshing on a hot day - can significantly increase your bill. Before you hook up the hose, be mindful that filling up that kiddie pool, splashing in a sprinkler, or enjoying a backyard water slide will add to your overall water usage.
 Kiddie |  Standard |  Playing in the Sprinkler |  Backyard |
Filling the pool two times per week uses about 240 gallons of water. That’s 2,880 gallons per quarter, which will add $62 on top of your normal quarterly bill. | Running a standard sprinkler for one hour per week uses about 1,300 gallons of water. That’s 15,600 gallons per quarter, which will add $392 on top of your normal quarterly bill. | Running a standard sprinkler for 30 minutes twice a week uses about 1,300 gallons of water. That’s 15,600 gallons per quarter, which will add $392 on top of your normal quarterly bill. | Using a backyard water slide for one hour twice a week uses about 1,920 gallons of water. That’s 23,040 gallons per quarter, which will add $618 on top of your normal quarterly bill. |
Wise Water Use Tips
- Check your hose and connections for leaks. A small drip can waste hundreds of gallons over time.
- Limit outdoor water play to short periods and reuse water when possible.
- Consider public pools and water parks.
Lawn and Irrigation System Tips
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Check out our #WiseWaterUse video!
Wise Water Use Inside Your Home
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Turning off the faucet when you’re shaving or brushing your teeth can save 200+ gallons of water each month! | The average family could save 2,700 gallons of water per year by installing WaterSense-labeled showerheads. | Did you know that toilet leaks are the cause of most high water bills? A small toilet leak can waste 200 gallons each day! That’s 6,000 gallons in a month! | According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, most toilet leaks are caused by an old, worn-out flapper. A flapper leak can add hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars to your bill. |
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Consider replacing old, inefficient toilets. Older models use as much as 7 gallons per flush, while WaterSense models use 1.2 gallons or less. | A 5-minute shower uses 10–20 gallons of water, versus up to 70 gallons for a bath. | A dishwasher uses significantly less water than hand washing—3 to 6 gallons versus 20+ gallons! Only run full loads. | Watch out for leaky faucets! One drip per second wastes more than 3,000 gallons per year. |
Save water, Save money* / Ahorre agua, Ahorre dinero*
*These links are for infographic versions of the information presented in the Wise Water Use Outside Your Home section of this page.
The wiser you are with your water, the more you can save.
Last Modified: July 1, 2026, 10:36 am EDT