REDUCING WATER USE

Reducing my Water Bill


EPA ws-ourwater-average-person-use
How much water do you use?

Washington Township bills use in increments of 100 cubic feet, which is commonly abbreviated as CCF.  

             1 cubic foot    =   7.48  gallons
          100 cubic feet   =   748  gallons
 
According to EPA.gov,  "the average American uses around 82 gallons per day per person in the household. That means a family of four would use around 10,000 gallons in a 30-day period."  (Based on information from Water Research Foundation, "Residential End Uses of Water, Version 2." 2016; and The US Geological Survey, "Estimated Water Use in the United States." 2015. )

You can use your water meter to monitor your water use and check for leaks.                            
             
    Learn how to Read Your Water Meter and use the Leak Detector

 

   Faucet Leaks can be silent and may even be intermittent. 
Use the Leak Detector on your water meter to help locate leaks.
Do you have a leak?

Plumbing fixtures and appliances connected to water can malfunction or break. When they do, they use more water than necessary.  Increased water use can cause an increase in your water bill.

The most common leaks occur in toilets, irrigation systems, water powered backups on sump pumps and whole house humidifiers.

                                          Learn how to Read Your Water Meter and use the Leak Detector

Toilets

  • Inspect the flush valve and overflow valve in all toilets. Test for leaks by placing a few drops of food coloring into the tank and wait approximately 30 minutes, without flushing the toilet. If you see the food coloring seep into the toilet bowl, a leak is confirmed. A “shimmer” on the surface of the toilet bowl water and is another way to discover a leak.
  • The flush valve or “flapper” in the bottom of the toilet tank will eventually wear out.  Be sure to replace the flapper correctly.
  • Verify the tank water level is approximately one inch below the overflow valve.  Make sure the water in the tank is not running into the overflow tube.  The arm of the ball float can be adjusted to bring the water level to the desired height. Check the refill tube in relation to the overflow tube to ensure no siphoning when the tank is refilling.
  • Consider low flow toilets, which use approximately half the water per flush compared to conventional types.

Appliances

  • Inspect water powered back-up sump pumps and ensure they completely turn off after each use.
  • Inspect the furnace humidifier overflow valve for excessive water flow.
Irrigation System

  • Regularly inspect for breaks in underground lines or sprinkler heads that may contribute to a system leak.


Could my meter be reading more water than I am using?

Washington Township installs positive displacement meters. We purchase this type of meter because when they age or if they fail, it is in the customer's favor. As the meter ages, it may slow, which then reports less water than is actually used. If the meter fails, it reports no use.



Additional Resources:

The resources listed below may provide you with ideas on lowering your water use.

Indoor Water

Michigan State University
 Consider changing your family’s water use practices to save money and reduce your environmental impact.

EPA WaterSense
Take steps each day to save water and protect the environment.

Water Use It Wisely When it comes to conserving water, small adjustments can have a big impact.

Outdoor Water

Michigan State University Turfgrass Science Helping you manage your patch of green in a responsible, efficient manner.