Residential Conservation

Font Size: + -

Feedback Print

Need to pay your water bill, or start/stop a water or sewer service? Visit the Fairfield Municipal Utilities page.

Check For Leaks

Easy-to-fix water leaks account for nearly 1 trillion gallons of water wasted each year in U.S. homes. In fact, the average household leaks nearly 10,000 gallons of water per year, or the amount of water it takes to wash 300 loads of laundry. If you have a leak, it could be costing you an extra 10 percent on your water bills.

Common types of leaks found in the home are worn toilet flappers, dripping faucets, and other leaking valves. These types of leaks are often easy to fix, requiring only a few tools and hardware that can pay for themselves in water savings.

Track Your Water Use

Did you know that you can access your water use history and compare it to previous years? With MyFMU, you can identify abnormal patterns by comparing monthly water usage. For example, if you notice that your water usage is higher in the winter than it was in the summer (similar to the graph below), you might have a leak! To log into your water use portal, click here.

High Winter Water Use Graph

Water Conservation Tool Kit – Now Available!

We’re committed to helping our community use water wisely. Our free Water Conservation Tool Kit provides easy, practical tools to reduce water waste at home. Each kit includes:

Hose nozzle
Dual‑spray kitchen faucet aerator
Bubble‑spray faucet aerator
Moisture meter
Toilet leak detection tablets
Shower timer

Tool Kit Photo

You’ll also find helpful extras such as rebate information, conservation tip sheets, and more!

The water conservation kits are free for Fairfield water customers and available on a first-come, first serve basis. Limit one per household. Items may vary by style depending on availability. To request a kit, call our Water Conservation Program at (707) 428-7630 or e-mail conserve@fairfield.ca.gov. We’re happy to help you get started on simple, effective water‑saving habits. Pick up a kit and start saving water today!

Saving Water Indoors

Not sure what you can do to save water? Read the sections below for easy tips to save water around your home.

The Bathroom

You can install water conservation tools in your bathroom! You can install high efficiency toilets, faucet aerators, and water smart shower heads. By making these device changes, you can save gallons of water everyday.

Using an older toilet? Adjust the fill valve to set the water level at least 1-2 inches below the overflow tube. This will reduce the amount of water being used per flush.

Shorten your showers: 5 minute showers can save hundreds of gallons of water each month. Play your favorite tune to help keep track of time.

Bath time? Make sure to plug the tub before starting the water.

Turn off the sink when brushing teeth or shaving: Saves 10 gallons per person per day.

Collect shower water in a bucket when waiting for the water to warm up. You can later use it for cleaning or to water plants around the home.

Bathroom Water Use

The Kitchen

Recycle indoor water and use for plants: That half cup of water that's been out all day? Instead of dumping it down the sink, use it to water your indoor plants.

Wash full loads of dishes: Dishwashers save 5-15 gallons per load. When washing dishes by hand, don’t let the water run. Fill one basin with wash water and the other with rinse water. Dishwashers typically use less water than washing dishes by hand.

Install faucet aerators: Saves 1.2 gallons per person per day.

Don't let the water run! If you need to heat up water from the sink or wash your produce, use a basin to collect water and reuse that water for soaking dirty pots or pans, or for watering your houseplants.

Use a Food Scraper: Scrape plates and pots instead of rinsing them before putting them in the dishwasher

Thaw Food in the Refrigerator: Avoid using running water to thaw food; instead, thaw it in the fridge

Kitchen Water Use

The Laundry Area

Wash full loads of clothes and save 15-45 gallons per load. When washing dark clothes, use cold water to save water, energy, and help your clothes retain their color.

Skip Extra Rinses: If clothes aren't heavily soiled, consider skipping the extra rinse cycle

Install a High-efficiency Washer: The Solano County Water Agency (SCWA) is offering a rebate for the purchase and installation of a qualifying EnergyStar Most Efficient labeled high-efficiency clothes washer. Some washers can save up to 20 gallons.

Laundry Water Use

Other Conservation Resources

Home Water Usage Calculator - The Water Calculator provides an estimate of your household's water usage and compares it to both a typical and an efficient home in your zip/postal code. It also calculates your carbon footprint from hot water consumption and offers personalized recommendations to enhance your home's water efficiency.

State Waterboards - Find indoor and outdoor water conservation tips, conservation initiatives, and more information.

Save Our Water - The program’s goal is to make water conservation a daily habit among Californians. You can take a Water-Wise Quiz to see how much you know about conservation!

Solano County Water Agency - SCWA is the wholesale water agency for the jurisdictions located within Solano County. Check out their website for flood control information, residential and commercial rebates, real-time water source monitoring, and more.

EPA WaterSense - The EPA WaterSense program is a voluntary labeling initiative by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency aimed at promoting water efficiency. The WaterSense label makes it simple to find water-efficient products, new homes, and programs that are certified to use at least 20 percent less water, save energy, and perform as well as or better than regular models.