Water Conservation: It’s everyone’s business!
Here are some basic water conservation techniques for Orange County businesses and residents from OWASA.
- Check your toilet tank for leaks by putting food color in the tank and waiting 20 minutes without flushing. If dye appears in the bowl, the “flapper” or flush valve has a leak and needs replacement.
- Replace old toilets (installed before 1994) with a new version that uses one-third to one-half as much water per flush. New toilets may pay for themselves in a few years by reducing monthly water and sewer charges as well as conserving water.
- If you cannot replace an old toilet, simply put a container of water in the tank to reduce flush volume at no cost. Make sure the container does not interfere with proper operation of the toilet.
- Check all plumbing pipes and fixtures including hoses for leaks, which can result in substantial water waste. Fix leaks promptly. Check your monthly water bill for increased water consumption, which may indicate a leak.
- Buy water-efficient and energy-efficient appliances and equipment. Please see the EPA’s Energystar web site, www.energystar.gov/products.
- Install low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators.
- Defer plantings until the drought is over. When the drought is over, consider planting drought-resistant shrubs, trees and grasses. Mulch to conserve soil moisture.