Water is a limited resource. Less than one percent of all the water on Earth can be used by humans for drinking, cleaning, or irrigating plants. The rest is saltwater or frozen in polar ice caps.
Here in Pittsburgh, we draw water from the Allegheny River and clean it at our Water Treatment Plant before it arrives at your tap as drinking water. We produce approximately 65 - 75 million gallons of drinking water every day. It is important to use this drinking water wisely and not waste it. By conserving water every day, you can reduce your water bill, help protect the environment, and save water resources for future generations.
You can also help reduce local flooding and overflows of sewage into the rivers by using less water in your home, especially during rainstorms. Less water down your drains leaves more room for stormwater. Remember: Reduce water down your drains, especially when it rains!
Check Water Usage & Fix Leaks
- Track your household's real-time water usage on our online customer portal and receive alerts when there is a spike in water usage. Learn more on our Check Your Water Usage page.
- Detect and repair leaks from common household sources such as toilets, faucets, showerheads, and gardening hoses. Learn more on our Leak Detection page.
Everyday Practices
- Turn off the faucet while brushing your teeth to save eight gallons of water a day
- Turn off the faucet while lathering soap when washing your hands or dishes
- Turn off the faucet while shaving
- Take a shorter shower to save between two and five gallons of water each minute
- Only run dishwashers and washing machines with full loads
- Sweep your sidewalk, steps, and driveway instead of hosing off those areas
- Water your plants in the morning or early evening to reduce water lost to evaporation
- Use an automatic shut-off nozzle for your gardening hose to control the flow
- Set sprinklers to water the lawn or garden only – not the street or sidewalk
- Wash your car using water from a bucket over your lawn or a commercial car wash that recycles water
Appliances
- Use an efficient dishwasher instead of washing dishes by hand and save 5,000 gallons of water each year
- Switch to an efficient clothes washer and save 2,000 gallons of water every year
- Replace an older toilet with an efficient model and save between 4,000 and 10,000 gallons of water a year
More Resources
Learn more about water conservation tips and water-saving products on the EPA's WaterSense webpage.