Use these tips to manage and save on your yearly Charlotte water bill
The City of Charlotte approved a $3.2 billion budget last month that is positioned to raise the cost of some household utilities.
The average household will likely start paying around $30 more for water per year thanks to a 3.54% rate increase included in the city’s adopted budget, The Charlotte Observer reported. Additionally, Charlotte residents may notice a higher service fee on their monthly stormwater bill which will increase by 34 cents per month.
The hike in rates might inspire you to start saving on your water bill where you can. Here are a few ideas to get started.
Shorten your showers
Reducing your shower by only four minutes can allow you to save nearly 4,000 gallons of water every year. That means taking a shorter shower each day can save you up to $100 per year on your water bill.
Try switching to a low-flow shower head
Installing a low-flow shower head can drastically reduce the amount of water you use by up to 40 percent, according to advice from HGTV, the popular network for home decor and improvement enthusiasts. The reduction in water usage can have a significant impact on your water bill, especially when combined with the practice of shortening your showers.
Check for leaks around your home
The United States Environmental Protection Agency estimates that the average family wastes about 180 gallons of water per week on leaks alone. Not only is checking for leaks a good way to protect the environment and conserve water but fixing the leaks can also help you save on your water bill by avoiding nearly 9,400 gallons of wasted water per year.
Turn off the faucet while brushing your teeth
It’s a habit that most people practice by now, so if you haven’t already adopted it into your morning and nightly routine, you could be missing out on savings. The EPA reports that turning off the tap while brushing your teeth can save up to 8 gallons of water per day for those who brush twice daily. That’s 2,920 gallons of water you could be saving every year.
Use your dishwasher
It’s a common myth that hand-washing your dishes is more energy and cost-efficient than running your dishwasher. On the contrary, hand-washing your dishes daily is actually more wasteful, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council.
Using an Energy Star-rated appliance to wash dishes can save up to 24 gallons of water per load. Assuming you wash dishes daily, that’s a yearly difference of 8,760 gallons. The average load of dishes uses 27 gallons of water through hand-washing versus three gallons during a single dishwasher cycle.
Charlotte Water also recommends homeowners wash dishes and laundry during off-peak hours.
This story was originally published June 7, 2022 at 6:00 AM.
