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Home Water Saving Guidance

Water Efficiency

Reduce your water use, reduce your bi-monthly bill

Improve your homes' water efficiency! On this page, find water-saving tips, rebate programs, guidance for detecting leaks and information on how to obtain free water-saving fixtures. Plus learn how to schedule a home consultation with one of our staff to help you find indoor and outdoor ways to reduce water waste and troubleshoot high water bills.

Seasonal water-saving reminder! Turn back your clocks, turn off your sprinklers
As fall turns into winter, and the weather cools, it’s a good time to consider reducing lawn and garden irrigation, and to let Mother Nature take a little pressure off your sprinkler system. In our region, irrigation can typically be reduced by 30% during September – and by 50% in October – before being turned off completely when Daylight Savings ends Sunday, Nov. 5. When turning off your irrigation system, don’t forget this simple sprinkler shutdown checklist:

  • Clean drip filters to leave the system clean over the winter.
  • Set the irrigation controller to the “off” setting.
  • Turn off water to the irrigation system at the main shut-off valve to prevent leaks due to valve failure.

And don’t forget: You can receive expert guidance from our Water Efficiency Team via our Weekly Watering Schedule to ensure you’re using water wisely outdoors once the growing season starts next spring. To sign up now to receive these free weekly updates beginning next growing season, visit our Weekly Water Schedule page.

Easy Ways To Reduce Water Waste:

 Find and fix every leak you can promptly. Leaks waste large volumes of water daily. 

 Make sure you have water-efficient nozzles and fixtures. Marin Water offers customers water-saving fixtures free of charge.

 Shorten showers. Email us for a free shower timer at Conservation@MarinWater.org.

 Run washers and dishwashers only when you have full loads.

 Replace washing machines with water-saving high-efficiency models.

 Turn the water off while brushing your teeth.

 Capture and reuse the water from your shower as you wait for water to get warm.

 For pool owners – read the EPA WaterSense Jump Into Pool Water Efficiency Guidance for pool design considerations, improvements, and maintenance practices to help you save water while getting the most out of your pool. 

Detect a Water Leak

Tools to help you determine if you have a leak

If you know you have a leak, such as a dripping faucet, it is important to get it fixed promptly. Even a small leak can lead to a dramatic increase in water usage and have a big impact on your water bill. Some common household leaks are not so obvious, such as within your toilet tank or irrigation system.

Suspect you might have a hidden leak? The good news is that many leaks are easy to fix – but first you have to find them.

 
Get to know your water meter - a trusted advisor in detecting leaks

Your water meter is an important conservation tool. It not only measures the water you use, but it can tell you if there is a leak. Learn how to read your meter to carefully monitor changes in your water use. If you need help finding the exact location of your water meter, contact the Engineering Records Department at 415.945.1530.

Track and reduce your water use

Marin Water offers a discount on the Flume smart home water monitor, an easy to install device that straps on to most existing water meters and can help notify you of leaks or high water use in real time over a Wi-Fi connection.

For customers in the District’s Automatic Metering Infrastructure (AMI) pilot program, don’t forget you can register with EyeOnWater for online access to monitor water use and setup leak alerts.

Request a billing adjustment for loss of water

If you discover a leak and repair it promptly, you may be eligible to request a billing adjustment for loss of water.

Leaks in your home or in the street

Your water service begins at your water meter. A service line, or pipe, runs from the water main in your street to your home via your water meter. The service line leading to your property is owned and maintained by Marin Water, as is the water meter. The pipe that runs from the meter to your home belongs to you and is your responsibility.

Conservation Assistance Program

Let one of our water efficiency experts help you identify waste to reduce your water use and your water bill with an indoor/outdoor home assessment. 

Our experts will: 

  • Show you how to read your meter and check for leaks.
  • Help evaluate the efficiency of your plumbing fixtures and appliances.
  • Assess your irrigation system and review your irrigation scheduling. 
  • Answer questions and offer tips on how to conserve.
  • Provide you with a personalized water-use history.

On-site consultation takes up to 1.5 hours. We also offer phone consultations.

Sign Up

 

Rebates & Incentives

Marin Water offers a great package of rebates and money-saving incentives to support you in implementing water conservations actions at home. 
Learn more»
 

Water Efficient Fixtures

We offer free water-efficient fixtures, including:

 
Faucet Aerators

Reduce the amount of water coming from your faucet without noticing a drop in water pressure by installing aerators.
Showerheads

We offer high-efficiency showerheads that reduce water waste by delivering 1.5 gallons of water per minute (gpm).
Shower Timers

Even with one of our high-efficiency showerheads, a 10 minute shower will use 15 gallons. Keep you showers to 5 minutes or shorter with one of our digital timers.

Leak Detection Dye Tablets

Spot leaks in your toilet by dropping a dye tab into the tank. Wait 15 minutes. If you see color in your bowl, you have a leak that it wasting water.
Hose Nozzles

A typical uncovered garden hose has a flow rate range of 9-17 gpm. Cover your hose with one of our hose nozzles. They have a maximum flow rate of 2.5 gpm and shut off automatically. Nozzles are also required on all garden hoses as part of the District's code.
 

Free fixtures are available at our Corte Madera Office. Drop by 220 Nellen Ave anytime during business hours (M-Th, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.) to get your free water-saving devices.