PWC Service Authority Water Tips


Prince William County Service Authority

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Water Conservation News and Tips

*Notice -- click here for new Peak II Charge for heavy lawn waterers, effective May 1st 2008.

_____________________________________

Top 20 Water Conservation Tips

Several nonprofit organizations such as Water Use It Wisely have put together a list of 100 tips to help conserve water. Other organizations have put similar lists together. Below is the Service Authority's quick reference list for the top 25 water saving tips.

1. Water your lawn only when it needs it. Step on your grass. If it springs back, when you lift your foot, it doesn't need water. So set your sprinklers for more days in between watering. Saves 750-1,500 gallons per month. Better yet, especially in times of drought, water with a hose. And best of all, convert your lawn to native plants.

2. Fix leaky faucets and plumbing joints. Saves 20 gallons per day for every leak stopped.

3. Don't run the hose while washing your car. Use a bucket of water and a quick hose rinse at the end. Saves 150 gallons each time. For a two-car family that's up to 1,200 gallons a month.

4. Install water-saving shower heads or flow restrictors. Saves 500 to 800 gallons per month.

5. Run only full loads in the washing machine and dishwasher. Saves 300 to 800 gallons per month.

6. Shorten your showers. Even a one or two minute reduction can save up to 700 gallons per month.

7. Use a broom instead of a hose to clean driveways and sidewalks. Saves 150 gallons or more each time. At once a week, that's more than 600 gallons a month.

8. Don't use your toilet as an ashtray or wastebasket. Saves 400 to 600 gallons per month.

9. Capture tap water. While you wait for hot water to come down the pipes, catch the flow in a watering can to use later on house plants or your garden. Saves 200 to 300 gallons per month.

10. Don't water the sidewalks, driveway or gutter. Adjust your sprinklers so that water lands on your lawn or garden where it belongs--and only there. Saves 500 gallons per month.

11. Collect rain water in a rain barrel (click to learn more) for watering your lawn and plants.

12. Install a Demand (Tankless or Instantaneous) Water Heater and water and energy.

13. Put a layer of mulch around trees and plants. Chunks of bark, peat moss or gravel slows down evaporation. Saves 750 to 1,500 gallons a month.

14. Install a low-flow sink faucet or a sink faucet aerator(click for more info).

15. Turn the faucet off while brushing your teeth or shaving.

16. Don't run the faucet while cleaning vegetables. Rinse them in the sink or in a pan of water.

17. When buying new kitchen and washing products look for the energy saver label.

18. Turn water on low when washing your hands.

19. Pour excess soapy water from car washing onto the lawn for better absorption rather than going down the storm drains.

20. Water plants and the lawn in early morning and in the evening and try low pressure water sprinklers and hose to reduce evaporation.

(Source: American Water Works Association. Residential End Uses of Water)