To save money on your water bills, knowledge is power2 min read

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If you’re concerned with your water bills, a great place to start saving on costs is inside the home. There are many simple changes that can make a significant difference on the amount of water you use, and by extension, the amount of water you’re billed for.

Know how to read your water or utility bill

The most important step in saving money is understanding how you’re being charged. The Region of Waterloo has resources for helping you understand your water bill and how your water usage compares to other households in the Region.

Tracking the amount of water you use on each billing cycle will help monitor if your water-saving efforts are having a meaningful impact.

To learn more about how to read your water bill, please select your municipality to see an explanation of your particular bill:

• Cambridge
• Kitchener
• North Dumfries
• Waterloo
• Wellesley
• Wilmot
• Woolwich

Check your toilets regularly

One of the biggest sources of water waste or leaks inside your home can often go unnoticed. Toilet leaks occur when the tank of your toilet leaks water into the bowl. A leaky toilet can waste up to 330 litres of water per day. Depending on the number of toilets in your home, this can cost up to $55 per month in lost water.

The fix for a leaking toilet is inexpensive and easy to do. Here’s how you can detect leaks in your toilet:

1. Add a few drops of food colouring to the tank of the toilet.
2. Wait 15 to 20 minutes.
3. Look in the toilet bowl. If you see food colouring, you have a leak.
4. Flush the toilet to avoid staining.

Book a free WET Home Water Review

If you’re interested in finding out ways to save water in your household, the Region of Waterloo offers a free home audit at no cost to the homeowner. During this home water review, a conservation expert will examine your home’s fixtures as well as your water use behaviours. They’ll create an action plan to help you save money and leave you with the knowledge you need to monitor your water use in the future.

For more information on the WET Home Water review, visit regionofwaterloo.ca/waterreview.

Compare your consumption to average water use in Waterloo Region: