MN Plumber Edina, Plymouth, Minnetonka MN

How much water do you use every day in your home? Would you be surprised to learn that according to the USGS the average American uses between 80-100 gallons (approx. 300 - 375 liters) of water per day? It's not the little leak that wastes waterit is the little leak that keeps on leaking that wastes water. And the fact that the leak is so little means that maybe you ignore it.

How Much Water Do You Use?

So, how can a little leak turn into a big waste? Many of our toilets have a constant leaksomewhere around 22 gallons per day. This translates into about 8,000 gallons per year of wasted water, water that could be saved. Or think of a leaky water line coming into your house. If it leaks 1 gallon of water every 10 minutes that means that you are losing (and paying for) 144 gallons per day, or 52,560 gallons per year. Home water use varies considerably depending on household size, water use practices, climate, type of plumbing fixtures and appliances and a number of other factors. The two largest water users are toilets and clothes washers. Note that nearly 14 percent of the water the typical homeowner pays for is never used - it leaks down the drain. The chart shows the average percentage of uses as follows: Clothes washer - 21.7% Shower - 15.9% Faucet - 16.7% Toilet - 26.7% Dishwasher - 1.4% Bath - 1.7% Leak - 13.7% Other - 2.2%

Ways Your Family Can Conserve Water

• Check all water-using appliances, equipment and other devices for leaks. Running toilets, dripping faucets, home water treatment units and outdoor sprinkler systems are common sources of leaks.
• Take short showers instead of tub baths.
• Don't let the water run while shaving or brushing your teeth.
• Before pouring water down the drain, consider other uses for it, such as watering a plant or garden.
• Wash full loads of laundry whenever possible.
• Operate dishwasher only when completely full.
• Sweep driveways, sidewalks, and steps rather than hosing them off.
• Install high efficiency plumbing fixtures and appliances.

Where are the least wasteful cities across the Nation? The study questioned a total 3,750 individuals, gauging behavior on waste, sustainability efforts, shopping habits, transportation and reusing items. The results were weighted to give more credit to behaviors that had immediate and significant impact on the planet (such as driving less, recycling more and reducing trash) to small habits that are more indicative of a mindset and non-wasteful approach to life (reusing containers, limiting shower time or saving wrapping paper and ribbons.)

Minneapolis Minnesota

Ranked 7th in the nation as America's Least Wasteful City

Rank	City	Weighted Score
1	San Francisco, CA	1382.92
2	Seattle, WA	1359.43
3	New York, NY	1350.74
4	Portland, OR	1293.82
5	Boston, MA	1286.84
6	Philadelphia, PA	1258.81
7	Minneapolis, MN	1232.41
8	Los Angeles, CA	1218.26
9	Washington DC	1206.92
10	Pittsburgh, PA	1205.41
11	Sacramento, CA	1202.78
12	Phoenix, AZ	1199.99
13	Chicago, IL	1193.90
14	Dallas, TX	1186.91
15	Orlando, FL	1180.68
16	Baltimore, MD	1180.47
17	Denver, CO	1180.05
18	Detroit, MI	1173.19
19	St. Louis, MO	1162.03
20	Miami, FL	1149.85
21	Indianapolis, IN	1147.30
22	Tampa, FL	1125.07
23	Atlanta, GA	1115.63
24	Cleveland, OH	1104.99
25	Houston, TX	1094.95

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So when the faucet is leaking, or the drain is clogged, or the water heater is not producing hot water, making repairs now will save you big bucks not only water, but future plumbing repairs. Contact a Minnesota Plumber who can give you more expert tips on keeping the plumbing in your home running smoothly and efficiently! They will be happy to offer maintenance suggestions that will avoid these problems in the future, extend the life of your plumbing system and maybe even save you some money on your energy bills!