Washoe County Department of Water Resources
Water Conservation Information
Between 1980 and 2000, America`s water use more than doubled! During the summer months we ask our customers to help conserve water now. This can prolong the lifespan of our current infrastructure, saving you money, and can help the area avoid severe shortages in the future.
ECONOMIZE:
A lot of water goes down the drain needlessly because in the past it has always been plentiful and cheap. Become conscious of the amount of water you're using, and look for ways to use less whenever you can. The largest areas of consumption are the kitchen, laundry room, bathroom and the backyard.
INSTALL WATER-SAVING DEVICES:
There are many devices you can buy inexpensively, such as aerators (to mix air with water); flow regulators (to reduce flow of water); displacement devices (to reduce amount of water stored in older toilets). Make sure the device is installed properly. DO NOT use a brick in your toilet tank as it may disintegrate and cause problems in your lines.
DETECT LEAKS:
A leak of one drop per second wastes 2,400 gallons per year. Most leaks are easy to detect and easy to repair with some basic know-how and a few simple tools. Here's a list of eight ways to tell if you've got a leak somewhere in your house.
REPAIR LEAKS:
Finding and repairing leaks can be challenging. Remember, don't get in over your head. If you've discovered a leak or other "plumbing challenge" that's beyond your abilities it's probably best to call in a licensed professional to do the job.
Do It Yourself - Between the meter and your home:
Turn off all faucets inside and outside the house. Locate your meter box. In most neighborhoods, you`ll find it located in a small concrete vault near the street. Using a screwdriver, or a similar device, lift off the concrete cover. Check the meter dial to see what number it is registering (if you have a round-reading meter, read the "one foot" dial). Wait 30 minutes, then recheck the dial. Movement of the dial will indicate you have a leak.
Call our office if you think you have a leak - From the pipeline to the meter:
The DWR staff may be able to assist you in determining if you have a leak, our Utilities Division crew can check the line between DWR's watermain and your meter. Crews may also conduct limited testing to help you determine if you have a leak on your side of the meter. However, our crews are not authorized to repair leaks on "your side" of the meter (between the meter and your home).
Do It Yourself - in-home check:
Check your faucets and toilets for leaks. A leaky faucet may waste 2,400 gallons of water a year. Usually, a 100 gallon a day toilet leak is not very noticeable. One way to check for a leaky toilet is to add food dye to the flush box. If the water in the toilet bowl turns the color of the food dye before the next flush, you will need to have your flush box valve repaired. Toilet and faucet repairs are usually easy to perform.
When to call a licensed, bonded plumber:
If you are not familiar with your plumbing system or if a major problem exists, contact a professional. A bad leak can send thousands of gallons silently down the drain. Silently, that is, until you receive your water bill.
Irrigation Systems:
"Do It Yourself"
Before turning on your irrigation system this spring, cap off all your sprinkler heads and pressurize the system. If the dial on your water meter moves, chances are you have a leak.
Check faucets and hose connections for leaks. Repair or replace when necessary. Inspect pipes for pinhole leaks, and leaking joints.
Call your Irrigation Contractor
If you don't feel comfortable checking your system yourself or if you have located a broken pipe or sprinkler in your walk through, notify the service technician. Your contractor can always provide a more thorough check of the system and let you know if the system is causing excessive water use.
By saving water you can also SAVE MONEY on water and utility bills, sewer and septic costs, state and local taxes. SAVE ENERGY by reducing the amount of hot water you use and by saving electricity used to pump water. SAVE THE ENVIRONMENT by helping ease the burden on water storage, purification, distribution and treatment facilities.
Click here for information about drought
Click here for more money saving ideas
Check out Washoe County's EvapoTranspiration Project!