By FrontDoor.com
The biggest source of water waste in the home -- and the biggest opportunity for water savings -- is the toilet. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates 4.8 billion gallons of water are flushed each day.
Since 1994, federal standards have required toilets, showerheads and faucets to use less water, so if you replace pre-1994 fixtures with new ones, you'll save water right from the start. Low-flow toilets got a well-deserved bad rap for poor performance when those standards came out, but newer models have largely fixed the problems.
Manufacturers of new designer toilets use advanced computer modeling to deliver more flush power with less water, trimming about $90 from your annual water costs. If you're still worried about getting a dud, research your options at the Saving Water Partnership's list of FlushStar toilets.
Several new models feature dual-flush buttons that let you opt for a mighty 1.6-gallon whoosh or a gentle 0.8-gallon splash -- for solid waste or liquid waste, respectively.
"Dual-flush toilets are another new product that is gaining popularity," says Sean Ruck, spokesman for the National Kitchen & Bath Association. "Combined with low-flow showerheads and faucets, you'll notice dramatic water savings."
Composting toilets and waterless urinals are also good options. While not exactly mainstream in U.S. homes, they've become very popular in green commercial buildings.
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