The steamy water, the suds, the singing ... so soothing. But the reality of wasted water coursing down the drain -- along with the energy that makes it so wonderfully warm -- is no comfort.

You've likely seen the fliers in your mailbox: Seattle City Light, Puget Sound Energy, Cascade Water Alliance and the Saving Water Partnership teamed up this summer to offer free high-efficiency showerheads to residents of single-family homes in most of King County (a program for apartment and condo residents is budgeted for next year).

The giveaway program, which will run through September 15, 2007, lets eligible residents exchange the mailer for a free efficient showerhead and faucet aerator (ask for two if you need them - they say these requests have been easy to fill).

The easy-to-install combo can reduce a family's water consumption by as much as 20%. According to Arece Hampton, representative for the program, around 24% of residents returned the mailers within the first two weeks, putting the program goal of 40% well within reach.

Saving Water Partnership predicts that if half of single-family households install a high-efficiency showerhead in every shower, the resulting annual savings would amount to nearly 200 million gallons of water - enough to provide 3,000 households with a year's worth of drinking water! Another warm thought: Seattle City Light estimates that efficient showerheads could save a family 190kWh per year. Lower energy demand means utility companies purchase less fossil fuel energy.

"Most folks believe they already have an efficient showerhead, but this one goes beyond code," says Hampton. "For a standard showerhead, the maximum flow rate is 2.5 gallons per minute, and you can buy bigger ones online that aren't made in this state. The new heads use 2 gallons. Another reason people don't switch is that they don't believe that the efficient showerhead will actually do the same as the showerhead that they're replacing. But these are the ones we have tested and approved, and they work really well."

If you don't qualify for a free showerhead, making the switch is still wallet-friendly. Hook up with the SaverShower Ultra Showerhead ($12.99 at Environmental Home Center), which uses 1.9 gallons per minute, and has a control button to stop the flow while you lather or shave.

Don't know your showerhead's flow rate? Cut the top off an empty gallon jug, turn on the shower and a timer, and count how many times you can fill the jug in 60 seconds for a good estimate.