Saving Water at Home

How households use water, why urban water is often underpriced, and simple changes and devices that save water and money.

Many Indian cities face water shortages, yet water is often underpriced, giving households little incentive to save.

How households use water

Major uses include:

Bathing and toilets.
Washing clothes and dishes.
Cooking and drinking.
Gardening and cleaning vehicles.

Water pricing

Many cities charge flat rates or very low tariffs, and many connections aren’t metered.
Without metering, households don’t pay more for using more, so there’s little incentive to save.
Families without piped supply often pay much more for water from tankers.

Saving water

Fixing leaks: a dripping tap can waste thousands of litres a year.
Low-flow taps, showerheads and aerators.
Dual-flush toilets.
Full loads in washing machines.
Reusing water, such as using RO reject water for cleaning.
Rainwater harvesting from rooftops, required in several cities for new buildings.

Costs and savings

Many water-saving devices are cheap and pay back quickly, especially for households buying water from tankers.

Community action

Housing societies can install meters, harvest rainwater and recycle greywater for gardens and toilets.

The tanker bill

A housing society in Bengaluru spends heavily on water tankers each summer. After installing rainwater harvesting and fixing leaks, it cuts tanker purchases significantly.

Thinking water is free

Water often costs a lot through tankers, and underpricing hides its true scarcity.

Key takeaways

Many Indian cities face water shortages while water is underpriced.
Unmetered supply gives little incentive to save.
Fixing leaks, low-flow fittings and rainwater harvesting save water.
Households buying from tankers save most from conservation.