Water Conservation

Did you know... A dripping faucet or fixture can waste 3 gallons of water a day for a total of 1,095 gallons a year. That simply turning off the water at the main valve can prevent a burst pipe or other plumbing emergencies, such as an overflowing toilet or tub, from becoming a home flood. Locate and tag the main water valve in your home. There is no standard location for a main water valve, although it is usually near the water heater. Main valves are generally closed by turning the handle clockwise.

Leaks are especially common during cold weather when pipes can freeze and cause pipe walls to crack or poorly soldered joints to loosen. To help prevent these leaks, wrap exposed pipes with insulated materials. Plug up drafty cracks. Repair broken window panes to make basements with any water line and meters in them more secure against the cold. Check crawl spaces and garages to make sure the pipes are protected. The copper pipes that carry hot and cold water in the most homes are normally durable and long lasting, but sometimes develop leaks that can cause severe damage.

Handy Tips to Conserve Water
  • Take shorter showers
  • Only do full loads of wash
  • Run dishwasher when fully loaded
  • Water lawn and garden as needed, early am
  • Water is a precious resource. Don’t Waste it!
Did You Know?
  • Up to 90 percent of water used to sprinkle lawns can be lost through evaporation from soil and plants.
  • Approximately two-thirds of residential interior water is for toilet flushing and bathing.  The use of water-saving toilets, shower heads, and faucet aerators can cut this usage in half.
  • A garden hose discharges up to six-and-a-half gallons of water per minute under standard household water pressure.
  • Hot water leaks not only are a waste of water, but a waste of the energy (and money) used to heat the water.
  • A top-loading clothes washer uses between 40-55 gallons of water per load.  Front-loading models reduce water usage by about 40 percent.  Make sure they’re full before turning them on.
  • A dishwasher uses between 8 and 12 gallons of water per load.  Again, only run full loads.
  • Water conservation is a smart investment not only for now, but for the future. Please make it a lifelong habit!