If you own a home in a suburb or city, you likely have had the unfortunate experience of receiving a shockingly high utility bill at the end of the month. Unless you use a private well, a significant part of this bill is probably based on your family's water use. Cutting back on how much water your household consumes could save you a lot of money over time, in addition to preserving sources of fresh water. Consider a few tips that may help you to reduce water consumption while still accomplishing all of your normal household tasks.

1. Keep Up on Maintenance

Maintenance and plumbing issues can be a major source of wasted water in your home. For example, a pipe with a small leak or a faucet that drips could waste gallons of water each week without you even realizing it. Toilets are also common culprits in cases of water loss. If you hear your toilet running several minutes after flushing, the tank is not filling up properly. This issue could waste even more water than a dripping faucet and should not be ignored. If your family has a pool or hot tub, it is important to fix any cracks or leaks that become apparent. If you are not able to fix these problems yourself, you may want to contact pool builders in Charleston. Be sure to address any seemingly small plumbing issues you notice right away before they become more serious.

2. Install Efficient Appliances

In addition to fixing your current plumbing and appliances, you may even want to consider replacing some items with new, energy-efficient models. Many toilets, washing machines and dishwashers are now made to reduce water waste.

3. Only Use What You Need

There are many situations when you may be running water when it is not necessary or could be used in a much smaller quantity. For example, when it comes time to do laundry, avoid washing a small load on the large setting. It is best to wash full loads or to adjust the setting on your machine so that it doesn't consume as much water. Similarly, you may be able to reduce how much water you use when washing dishes. Be sure to wait to run your dishwasher until it is as full as possible. In addition, you could consider filling up your sink with water to scrub dishes rather than leaving it running.

You may also be using more water outside your home than is necessary. Namely, it is important to adjust your sprinkler system to minimize waste. This includes angling sprinkler heads so that they don't water the concrete and turning off your system after a rain.

4. Turn Off the Faucet

Although it may seem very simple, you can also save a lot of water by turning off the faucet when you don't need it. This includes when you are washing dishes, brushing your teeth or shaving. Additionally, if you are washing your car or watering plants outside, avoid leaving the hose on when you aren't using it.

5. Be Mindful of Showers

A final piece of advice for cutting back on your household's water consumption is to give some attention to your shower routine. Taking a bath, for instance, usually uses much less water than a shower. If you strongly prefer showering, it might be a good idea to invest in a new water-saving shower head.

It is only too easy to let excessive amounts of water simply run down the drain—literally. By making a few simple changes in your routine, you could save hundred of gallons of water per week. Just think how that might lower your utility bill.