| |
| Average Household Water Usage |
Average residential water usage per person per household ranges
between 60 and 150 gallons a day. Water conservation and efficiency
are important to the protection of our drinking water resources.
By using water wisely, you can lessen demand on the water supply
and spend less money on your water bill. Here are some good tips
for saving water around your home:
|
Water
Usage Facts and Statistics
The Bathroom - Baths, Showers,
Toilets, Sinks
The Kitchen - Food Preparation,
Dishes, Cleaning
The Utility Room - Laundry
Outdoor - Irrigation, Car
Washing, Pools, Landscape
Checking for Leaks
Download Leak Detection Checklist (78Kb) |
| |
| Water
Usage Facts and Statistics |
The best way to start saving water is to understand where it goes.
Large water districts break down home water usage with similar
percentages. You may be surprised when you see the numbers:
Toilet (27 - 40%)
Laundry (16 - 22%)
Showers and Baths (17 - 20%)
Faucets - (16 - 17%)
Leaks (5 - 14%)
Dishwater (2-3%)
Other Indoor Domestic Uses (2%)
As you can see the bathroom is where we use the most water. Click
here for a handy estimated water usage calculator. The on-line
water calculator is provided for Tampa Florida area water customers,
but should provide a reasonable estimate for this region also.
RETURN TO TOP OF PAGE |
| The Bathroom
- Baths, Showers, Toilets, Sinks |
| |
- You can save 3 to 5 gallons of water each time you shave
by filling the sink, instead of letting the water run continuously.
|
- Turn off the faucet when brushing your teeth, saving 3-5
gallons each time you brush. Use short bursts of water to rinse
or consider installing a small paper cup dispenser.
|
- A 5 minute shower uses about 1/2 the water as a bath.
|
- When taking a bath, plug the drain and turn on the hot water.
Let it run until the water gets hot before adjusting the temperature
with cold water.
|
- Flush the toilet only when necessary. Never use it as a trash
can for tissue, cigarettes etc. Don't flush paints, solvents
or other chemicals.
|
- If your showerhead is older, consider changing it out to
a newer more water efficient model. Older heads will allow
water to flow at a rate of 8-10 gallons per minute, while the
more efficient models allow flow at 2.5 or 3 (gpm). Newer fixtures
have the flow rate in gallons per minute (gpm) stamped or engraved
on the unit.
|
- Replace older, larger-use toilets with the newer ultra-low
flush models. Standard toilets manufactured prior to the 1980s
usually require five to seven gallons per flush. Toilets sold
during the 80s and early 90s use 3.5 gallons per flush. Since
1992, new toilets must use 1.6 gallons or less per flush.
Consumer Review of Low Flow Water Efficient Toilets
|
|
|
| |
| RETURN TO TOP OF PAGE
|
| The Kitchen
- Food Preparation, Dishes, Cleaning |
| |
- Clean fruits and vegetables in a partially filled sink or
container and rinse them quickly.
|
- Steaming vegetables uses even less water than boiling, while
conserving more nutrients and taste.
|
- Thawing frozen goods under a running tap wastes water. Take
foods out of the freezer early enough to allow time to thaw
or, defrost in the microwave or pan of water.
|
- Fill the dishwasher before you turn it on. It can use from
12 to 18 gallons per use.
|
- Sink garbage disposals can waste water also. In order for
them to work properly, you must run the water. Depending on
how often the unit is used, it may require 50 - 100 gallons
a week or more to operate. Many people compost their kitchen
waste instead.
|
- When purchasing a new dishwasher, select an energy and water
efficient model.
|
RETURN TO TOP OF PAGE
|
| The Utility
Room - Laundry |
| |
- An automatic clothes washer can use from 40 - 65 gallons
of water for each load of laundry. That's about 20% of total
indoor water use. Most washers allow you to adjust the amount
of water to match the size of the wash load. If yours doesn't,
let the laundry build up until you have a full load before
setting the machine in motion.
|
- Up to 90% of the energy used for washing clothes goes to
heat the water. Washing in warm water not only cuts back on
your energy bills, it's easier on your clothes.
|
|
|
|
RETURN TO TOP OF PAGE
|
| Outdoor -
Irrigation, Car Washing, Pools, Landscaping |
| |
- As indicated in the graphic above approximately 1/4 - 1/2
of water residentially consumed by Americans is used for irrigation,
primarily on lawns and yards. Half of the irrigation usage
could probably be eliminated by Xeriscaping. Xeriscape is the
practice of landscaping with indigenous plants and others that
acclimate well to a given climate region. When this practice
is observed, much less water is required for continuing irrigation
after the landscape is "set" well.
Learn
more about Xeriscape Landscaping, what it is and what plants
to plant here.
|
- Water early in the morning or in the late afternoon, avoiding
evaporation losses. Early morning is best for avoiding molds
and mildews.
|
- In many parts of Texas, watering in the Spring may do more
harm than good to your plants. Watering less in the early growing
season could encourage better root formation allowing grass
and garden plants to tap into natural water resources easier.
|
- Over fertilizing can require more water. Slow-release organic
fertilizers that ensure slow but steady growth work best. If
you can get by without any fertilizer, so much the better. "Fixed" Nitrogen
precipitation occurs naturally during the ionization process
of a thunderstorm.
|
- Consider using automatic timers to shut sprinklers off.
|
- Use a mulch wherever possible around flowers shrubs and trees.
A good mulch conserves water by significantly reducing moisture
evaporation from the soil. Mulch also reduces weed populations,
prevents soil compaction and keeps soil temperatures more moderate.
|
- Cut your grass high (2 - 3 inches) and leave the clippings.
The natural mulch retains moisture and acts as a fertilizer.
Some mowers have mulching features that aid in the mulching
while cutting process.
|
- Washing a car with a running hose can require 120 -160 gallons
of water. Using a bucket, sponge and hose with a spray nozzle
can reduce the wash water required by 75%.
|
- When cleaning a porch, sidewalk or driveway use a broom and
or rake instead of water washing and save 50 - 75 gallons of
water.
|
- If you own a pool, be sure to use a pool cover when it's
not in use. Check equipment such as filtration systems, water
inlets and other plumbing connections on a regular basis for
leaks.
|
RETURN TO TOP OF PAGE
|
| Checking for
Leaks |
| |
| A sudden increase in your water charges could indicate
a water leak. Water leaks are often silent and unnoticeable until
you get a high water bill. |
To check for a leak: |
- Turn off all faucets in and around the house.
|
- Make sure the dishwasher and washing machine are not on.
|
- Switch off the ice-maker.
|
- Find your water meter box which is usually located in your
front yard near the property line.
|
- Look for a leak indicator on your meter (usually a small
triangle dial visible through the meter sight glass).
|
- If the indicator is spinning, water is running through the
meter and you have a leak.
|
- If you do not have a leak indicator, write down all of the
numbers on the register including the position of the dial
if there is one.
|
- Leave all of the water off in the house and check the meter
again in one hour. If the dial has moved or the numbers have
changed, you have a leak.
|
- If you verified a leak, you need to find out where it is.
|
- The most common culprit is a toilet. A hanging flapper valve
or a flap that is not seated correctly can cause water to constantly
seep from the tank to the bowl. The flapper valves and internal
components do wear out, requiring servicing.
|
- Take the toilet tank lid off and see if you can either hear
or see a leak. If not, place a few drops of food coloring in
the tank (the back of the toilet). Let it sit for 15-20 minutes
without flushing. Then check the bowl for traces of the food
coloring. If the water in the bowl is colored, you have found
a leak.
|
- Other common leaks are faucets that drip or slowly run. Make
sure and check outside spigots and around the bottom of your
hot water heater also. Even small leaks can add up quickly.
|
- If you have determined that you do have a leak and can't
find it, then it could be underground. Most plumbing service
companies have detection equipment and are experienced in finding
underground leaks. The Dobbin Plantersville Water Service Corporation
typically does not repair water leaks on the customer or "service" side
of the meter and would not be involved in the repair.
|
|
|
- Of course, our staff will be happy to answer any of your
questions about high water use. Please contact us at (936)
894 - 2506.
|
RETURN TO TOP OF PAGE
|
