Water is easy to take for granted. You turn on the tap, it flows. You flush, it's gone. But the habits we develop in everyday routines add up to hundreds of gallons per month — and when you rent, every drop you use comes with a cost, whether that's reflected in your utility bill directly or absorbed into your rent over time.

The good news: water conservation doesn't require big lifestyle changes. A handful of small, deliberate habits can meaningfully reduce your usage without making your daily routine any less comfortable.

8 min Average shower length — cutting to 5 min saves 15 gallons
20 gal Saved per day by turning off the tap while brushing teeth
200 gal Wasted daily by a single running toilet left unrepaired

In the Bathroom

The bathroom is where most household water is used — and where the easiest wins are. Most of these changes cost nothing and take seconds to adopt.

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Shorten Your Shower
A standard showerhead uses about 2.5 gallons per minute. Trimming three minutes off your daily shower saves roughly 2,700 gallons a year.
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Turn Off While Brushing
Leaving the tap running while you brush uses up to 4 gallons per session. Turn it off until you need to rinse — that simple habit adds up fast.
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Fill the Sink to Shave
Instead of running water continuously, plug the drain and fill the basin. You'll use a fraction of the water and still get a clean, close shave.
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Check for Silent Leaks
Put a few drops of food coloring in your toilet tank. If color appears in the bowl without flushing, you have a flapper leak. Let us know and we'll get it fixed.
"A leaking toilet can waste 200 gallons per day — that's more than most people use intentionally in a week."

In the Kitchen

Kitchens are often overlooked as a water conservation opportunity, but thoughtful habits here can add up to significant savings over time.

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Run Full Loads Only
Dishwashers use roughly the same amount of water regardless of how full they are. Wait until the dishwasher is full before running it — you'll use half as much water per item washed.
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Don't Thaw Under Running Water
Defrost frozen food in the refrigerator overnight or in a bowl of standing water instead. Running tap water to thaw food wastes gallons for no benefit.
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Rinse Produce in a Bowl
Fill a bowl or the stopped sink to wash fruits and vegetables instead of running the tap. Bonus: use that water on houseplants when you're done.
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Keep Cold Water in the Fridge
Running the tap until the water gets cold wastes a surprising amount. Store a pitcher of cold water in the fridge so you never have to wait.

In the Laundry Room

If your unit has an in-unit washer or access to shared laundry, how you run your loads makes a real difference.

1
Match the Water Level to Your Load Size
If your machine has adjustable water levels, use the appropriate setting. Washing a small load on a large-load setting wastes gallons unnecessarily.
2
Wash in Cold Water When Possible
Cold water washing isn't just about energy — it's gentler on fabrics too. Modern detergents are formulated to work just as well in cold water.
3
Wait for Full Loads
Like the dishwasher, a washing machine uses roughly the same water whether it's half-full or completely full. Waiting for a full load is the simplest way to cut water use in half.

Report Drips and Leaks Right Away

One of the most impactful things you can do as a renter is report maintenance issues promptly. A dripping faucet might seem minor — just an occasional drop — but even a slow drip can waste over 3,000 gallons of water per year. A running toilet, as mentioned above, can waste far more.

These aren't just environmental concerns. In units where water is included in rent, excessive waste contributes to higher operating costs for everyone. When you catch and report leaks early, you're helping keep the property well-maintained and costs in check for the whole community.

Maintenance Reminder

If you notice a dripping faucet, running toilet, or any other water issue in your unit, please submit a maintenance request through your Tenant Portal as soon as possible. We'll get it resolved quickly — and your early report prevents a small problem from becoming a much bigger one.

Small Habits, Real Results

None of these changes require sacrifice. You'll still have hot showers, clean dishes, and fresh laundry. The difference is just being a little more intentional about when water is actually needed — and when it isn't.

Taken together, these habits can reduce household water usage by 20–30% without any plumbing upgrades or major lifestyle changes. That's a meaningful contribution to your community and the environment, one small decision at a time.