Water Conservation reduces energy, water bills, and wears on the water distribution system. Conserve water whenever possible - contribute to an improvement in the supply for all.
- Make sure your taps don't drip. A dripping tap can waste 2 gallons of water each hour.
- Check your toilets for leaks. Put a little dye in the tank and if color shows in the bowl without flushing, there's a leak. Fixing it now will save money later because a leaking toilet can waste as much as 40,000 gallons of water in six months.
- Fill two half-gallon plastic bottles filled with water or bricks; place them in the toilet tank. This reduces the amount of water needed for flushing from five to four gallons per flush.
- Wash dishes with a basin of water instead of running water.
- Use a bucket instead of a hose to wash cars and water plants.
- Take bath or short showers.
- DO NOT leave the shower running when soaping or scrubbing.
- DO NOT let water run in the sink while shaving, brushing your teeth or lathering your face and hands. This wastes water and money.
- Reuse sink and laundry water (grey water) to water plants.
- Water your plants in the evening when there is less evaporation.
- Build and/or install a water tank for catchment and storage and use guttering to catch rainwater from the roof. Please contact WASCO for information on water treatment.
- Check your water meter when there is a supply and no water is being used. If the reading changes - you have a leak. Have it fixed.
- DO NOT use running water to thaw meat or other frozen foods. Defrost food overnight in the refrigerator or use the defrost setting on your microwave.
- If you have a pump at home, check your pump periodically. Listen to hear if the pump kicks on and off while water is NOT being used. If it does, you have a leak. Find it and repair it.
- Avoid flushing the toilet unnecessarily. Dispose of tissues, insects and other similar waste in the trash rather than the toilet.
- Encourage your employer to promote water conservation in the workplace. Suggest that water conservation be put in employee orientation and training programs.
- Report all significant water losses (broken pipes, open hydrants, faulty sprinklers, overflowing tanks, etc.) to the property owner, or the Water Company.
- When doing laundry, match the water level to the size of the load.
- Teach your children to turn off faucets tightly after each use.
- Soak pots and pans instead of letting the water run.
- When filling containers, do not allow them to overflow.
- Share water conservation tips with friends and neighbours.
- Conserve water because it is the right thing to do. Don't waste water just because someone else is footing the bill, such as when you are staying at a friend, a relative, a guest house or even a hotel.
