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Water Conservation Tips

Helpful Hints

Voluntary efforts to reduce water usage can be easily accomplished by residents. Simply shortening showers, turning water off while brushing teeth, and washing only full loads of dishes or laundry can add up to considerable water savings. Consider a 10 minute shower running at 10 gallons per minute, if turned off in 8 minutes, saves 20 gallons or 20%. On average, a single family home may use 300 gallons of water a day. A 10% savings is only 30 gallons. It seems insignificant, but multiplied by the Township’s 5,000 plus homes and suddenly 30 gallons is a whopping 150,000 gallons per day. Above all else, fix those leaks! A pinhole 1/32″ in size can lose 260 gallons of water a day, enough for a family to live comfortably each day.

Two helpful hints to public water users: when the house is quiet, take a peek at the water meter mounted on your supply line, usually found in the basement. If the little dial is moving and you’re not using water, something is leaking, usually a toilet, and it is wasting water that you are paying for. Or, if you hear (yes, you can put your ear to the meter) a gushing or hissing sound, contact the Authority office immediately, as water may be leaking at the curb connection. We’ll be glad to check it out at no charge.

Drought Restrictions

Drought restrictions will be announced as needed. The following restrictions may be instituted dependent on severity:

DROUGHT WATCH:
Alerts users to the possible onset of drought and requests a voluntary 5-10% daily reduction.

DROUGHT WARNING:
Alerts users to the possible onset of drought and requests a voluntary daily reduction of 10-15%.

DROUGHT EMERGENCY:
Initiates mandatory restrictions and reduction of 15-20% of daily water usage.

Tips for Healthy Groundwater Conservation

Spring:

  • When it rains, it drains. Keep contaminants from storm drains.
  • Storm flows are wasted if left to run down a storm drain when needed in the garden.
  • Lessen the need to water your plants by adding mulch to the flower bed.
  • Spring – Install rain barrels or cistern. Collect rain water for garden use.
  • Create mini basins around trees and shrubs to catch rain run-off.
  • Take our Stormwater Survey. We want your opinion on the water in the Township!

Summer

  • Collect flows in a yard cistern and sprinkle on garden in summer months.
  • Save ground water, collect and use rain water in your garden.
  • Summer -Water new plants with gray or recycled bath water.
  • Clean streams help to foster clean water supply.
  • Water your lawn before sunrise and avoid excess evaporation loss.
  • Wash car on lawn rather than on driveway. Use no soap and save water & dollars.
  • Wastewater generated from laundry, dishwashing, bathing, etc. should go into your sewer or septic system. Connecting to the storm drain is illegal and pollutes!

Fall:

  • Check faucets & toilets for leaks. Make repairs and save water & dollars.
  • Create rain gardens; use less groundwater in your landscape.
  • reduce evaporation of pool water, cover with floating pool cover.
  • Reduce water use, plant drought tolerant plants in your landscape.
  • As the colors change and the leaves fall, please keep your storm drain clear of these and other debris, and you will be worry free.

Winter:

  • Conserve water; conserve dollars.
  • Repair all water leaks and save water and money.
  • Install water saving devices in your home. Save water and dollars.
  • Even if it’s cold outside, we all have to follow the law regarding illicit discharge. Call 215-348-4220 to report any illegal dumping or polluting to the Police.