Nationally, the average U.S. family uses more than 300 gallons of water per day at home. About 70 percent of which occurs indoors. The largest use of household water is to flush the toilet, followed by taking showers and baths. Toilets account for nearly 30 percent of an average home’s indoor water consumption.

Outdoor water use accounts for 30 percent of household use yet can be much higher in Arizona and in more water-intensive landscapes. For example, the arid West has some of the highest per capita residential water use because of landscape irrigation.

A Water Resources Section Team member can assist reviewing your monthly water usage over the phone or via email. Contact Public Works Department Customer Services at 480-362-5600 or email Public Works- Water Resources at PWWaterResources@SRPMIC-nsn.gov. Please provide your address, return number, full name and water account number (if known).

The easiest way to determine if you have a leak is to shut off all water-using appliance, faucets and outside watering tools and then check to see if the flow indicator/number on your water meter has completely stopped moving. If you are sure no water is being used inside and outside the home, and the meter number/indicator continues to move, you probably have a leak somewhere. At that point, you will need to determine where the leak is coming from.

You can conduct a self-water audit at home by following these steps:

1. Make sure no water is being used inside or outside your home. Do not shut off the main water line to your home.
2. Locate your water meter box; the water meter box is typically located at the front of the property. Please contact Public Works Customer Service at 480-362-5600 if you need help locating your meter.
3. Carefully lift the lid using a large screwdriver; BE CAUTIOUS OF INSECTS. If you have bees going in and out of the meter box, call Public Works Customer Service at 480-362-5600 and do not proceed to step #4 until the bees have been removed.
4. Clean out any debris inside the meter box to uncover the water meter. The meter may become covered with dirt due to rainwater, irrigation and gophers.
5. We currently uses two types of meters. The older style will have a black triangle near the center of the meter which will spin if water is flowing through it. The newer style meters are digital (SENSUS) and the last 2 digits will continue to change if water is flowing through it.
6. If all faucets to the home are turned off and see your meter number moving (have flow through the meter), you may have a leak in your home.
7. Record the numbers on the meter from left to right, this is the first read. Wait at least 1 hour.
8. Return and read the meter again; this is the second read.
9. Subtract the first read from the second read to determine if there is usage. If there was no change in the meter read, your high usage may be due to a problem with your irrigation system, excessive consumption or something that runs a specific cycle like over cycling of a water softener or reverse osmosis system.
10. If you need assistance with a home water audit, please contact PW-Customer Service at 480-362-5600.

I have a leak. Can Public Works fix it?
Public Works can assist with repairs to leaks on the main water service line (from the meter to approximately 5 feet from home). Any leaks within home or coming from all other water lines in the customer’s yard are the customer’s responsibility

• If you are a SHRRP member, SHRRP may be able to fix your leak. Contact SHRRP at 480-362-780
• If you are a Housing customer, Housing Department may fix leaks outside of your home. Housing Division 362-5720.
• If there is a water leak on main water service line, contact Public Works – Customer Service at 480-362-5600.

Visit this site to see how to find leaks around your home. Smart Home Water Guide: Find & fix leaks that are draining your Budget

Get more information on common dripping faucet causes and find out how to fix it [PDF] and fixing a toilet leak. Also, visit Repairing Leaks for more tips on fixing a leak. To fix a leaky toilet, you might need to purchase a kit, normally less than $20 USD.

Sometimes this can be very tricky. Look for it in the front of your house. It is usually where your garden hose is connected. It also may be partially buried in the dirt or under leaves or debris. Knowing how and where to shut off your home’s main water supply is very important. Whether there is a water emergency, a leak in your home, or you just want to solve a simple plumbing problem, you may need to completely turn off your home’s water supply.

Find the spot where water enters the home, and you will find the shutoff valve nearby. Turn the valve clockwise (to the right). Keep in mind that even though you’ve now shut the main-line supply, there’s still water in the water pipes within your home, so it’s important to drain all the faucets until the water stops running. Be sure to instruct all capable members of the household about water shutoff procedures. If you need assistance with shutting off your water, contact Public Works – Customer Service at 480-362-5600.

You will need to fix your leak as soon as possible. Homeowners with septic systems should take extra precaution against leaking fixtures such as toilets or faucets. Excessive water use from leaky faucets and fixtures in your septic system can cause disastrous results. The steady flow of water from a leaky toilet or faucet day and night can quickly flood your septic tank as well as the ground around the drain field, making it impossible for water to flow out of your septic system, eventually leading to septic system failure.

It depends on the location of your home. Someone from our Irrigation Section is available to conduct a site visit to determine if we can connect your yards to the irrigation water. To request for a work order, please contact Public Works – Customer Service at 480-362-5600.

Saving water is easier than you think. We can all use at least 20 percent less water by installing water-efficient fixtures such as low flow showerheads or low water consumption toilets. You can replace your conventional toilets low consumption toilet and to save 13,000 gallons of water savings for the average family. Low flow showerhead uses just over 3,100 gallons of water versus regular model that uses over 5,200 gallons per year (60% saving). You can purchase a low flow showerhead for less than $10 at a local home improvement stores.

Look for WaterSense products when purchasing new fixture/appliance for your home.

Click here see your water use habits around your home.

Find out more tips on saving water by visiting wateruseitwisely.com and epa.gov/watersense.

Minimize evaporation by watering during the early morning hours when temperatures are cooler and winds are lighter. Landscape Watering Guide contains helpful information on when and how much your plants need water.

• Landscape Plants for the Arizona Desert
• Desert Lawn Care (PDF)
• Good Reasons to Take Out Your Grass (PDF)

Xeriscape landscaping reduces or eliminates the need for watering your yard. Xeriscape landscaping is designed for areas that are susceptible to drought or where water conservation is practiced.

Switching to water saving Xeriscape can save you 50% or more on your outdoor water use. A bermuda or bermuda hybrid lawn requires more than 40-55 inches of water per year. The average Xeriscape requires less than 18 inches per year. Compare with our average rainfall of 8 inches.

• Xeriscape: Landscaping with Style in the Arizona Desert