Tips to keep your money from running down the drain If you have a toilet that was installed before 1994, your water use may be higher. Older toilets use as much as 20 gallons of water per person, per day. A newer model can save on water use, reducing both water and wastewater bills. Fourteen percent of all indoor water use is from dripping faucets and leaking toilets — that's 10 gallons of water per person, per day. Check for toilet leaks by dripping a few drops of food coloring in your tank and waiting 15 minutes. If the color shows up in the bowl, you have a leak. If your sink or bathtub faucet drips and the handle is completely turned off, you have a leak. Replace the rubber O-ring or washer inside the valve. If you have to jiggle the handle to stop a toilet from running, the flapper, connecting chain or handle assemble needs adjusting or replacing. Check the water level in the toilet tank. It should be about one inch below the top of the overflow tube or the water line when the water stops after flushing. If the water level stops below the top of the overflow tube or the above adjustment doesn't work, the float control needs replacing. Additional Tips Take a short shower instead of a bath. Use aerators in faucets. Turn off the water when brushing your teeth or shaving.