Water

2010 Water Quality Report

Water Conservation Tips

1. 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.
• You can check for a toilet leak by adding food color to the tank.  If there is a leak the color will appear in the bowl within 30 minutes.
2. Get a cover for your swimming pool.  A cover will cut the loss of water due to evaporation by 90%.
3. Use a broom, rather than a water hose, to clean sidewalks and driveways.
4. If you wash dishes by hand, use both sides of the sink – One for washing, the other for rinsing rather than letting the water run.
5. Defrost frozen food in the refrigerator or in the microwave instead of running hot water over it.
6. Only run the dishwasher and clothes washer when they are fully loaded.
7. Don’t over water your yard.  Water every three to five days in the summer and 10 to 14 days in the winter.
8. To prevent water loss because of evaporation, don’t water your lawn during the hottest part of the day or when it is windy.
9. Take shorter showers.
10. Avoid unnecessary flushing.  Dispose of tissues, insects and other such waste in the garbage can.
11. If the toilet flush handle frequently sticks in the flush position, allowing water to constantly run, replace or repair it.
12. Don’t let water run while washing your face, shaving, or brushing your teeth.
13. Don’t put water down the drain.  You can use this for watering plants or cleaning.
14. Position lawn sprinklers so that you are careful to only water flowers and grass.  You don’t want to water the driveway or sidewalk.
15. Check for household leaks regularly.
16. Install more efficient water fixtures.

Links

• NCRWA: North Carolina Rural Water Association