Water Conservation Hints

Using conservation devices in your home is commonly overlooked but is something that can be quite beneficial. Often, small inexpensive modifications of equipment can mean long term savings. Several inexpensive water-saving devices can be easily installed in your home.

Conservation devices such as:

Þ            Toilet tank displacement devices such as dams or bottles

Þ            Low-flow showerheads or shower flow restrictors

Þ            Faucet aerators or flow reducers

Þ            Low water consumption toilets

Þ            Flow restrictors in garden hoses

Þ            Water efficient washing machines

Þ            Drip irrigation systems for landscaping and gardens

Þ            Timers on sprinkler systems

Þ            Swimming pool covers to reduce evaporation

Repair dripping faucets and leaky toilets!  Dripping faucets can waste about 2,000 gallons of water each year.  Leaky toilets can waste as much as 200 gallons each day.

Stop leaks:

Þ            A simple way to check for a toilet leak is to remove the tank cover and place food coloring in the tank. This should be done when the toilet will not be used for several hours.  If the color seeps into the bowl, the flush ball needs to be replaced.

Þ            Faucet leaks are easy to see and normally easy to repair. In most cases, the entire fixture does not need to be replaced. Installing replacement washers and/or valves will usually correct the leak.

Þ            Detecting “hidden leaks” can be done by turning off all water faucets and stopping all water use.  Then watch the water meter for movement, there should be no water passing through the meter therefore there should be no movement.

Other helpful hints:

Þ            When using automatic dishwashers and washing machines, run FULL loads only.  When washing dishes by hand, fill the sink to wash and rinse instead of running water.

Þ            Always turn off running water when it is not needed!  For instance; brushing your teeth and shaving or cleaning produce.  Change this simple habit and you can save over 100 gallons a week!

Þ            Keep drinking water cold by placing a container in the refrigerator.  This way you don't have to wait for cold water every time you want a drink.

Þ            Water lawns during the early morning hours when temperatures and wind speeds are the lowest.

Þ            Do not hose down your driveway or sidewalk.  Use a broom to clean leaves and other debris from these areas.  Using a hose to clean a driveway can waste hundreds of gallons of water.