Conservation

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Water is our most plentiful and valuable resource.   Since most of us have access to an abundant supply of water, we often overlook the importance of clean water.   We turn on the faucet without a second thought and often don't think about how much water we use.

 

The source of water for the Municipal Authority of Buffalo Township is the Allegheny River.  Although we have never experienced a shortage of water, that doesn't mean that our supply is unlimited.  Water levels from all sources are affected daily by precipitation, population growth, economic development, pollution, and a host of other factors.  We must manage our water resources carefully to ensure that we have clean, safe water in the future.

 

Most of the water conservation tips we can use at home are simple and painless. Once they become a habit, we may not even notice that we are practicing water conservation.  And here is the best part conservation can save us money! These savings start right away with savings each month on your water and sewer bill. Conservation can mean future savings too because it costs utilities millions of dollars to upgrade facilities to keep up with our ever increasing demand for water.

 

Let's look at some simple ways we can save water (and money) in our own homes:

 

In the bathroom:

• Toilets: This necessary device is the top water user in your home.  Check for leaks here often.  Not all commode leaks are easy to spot.  Try putting a few drops of food coloring in the tank.  If the colored water appears in the bowl you have a leak.  If your commode is old, consider replacing it with a newer water saving model.  If this is not an option, you can still save water on each flush by placing a weighted gallon jug in the tank to save an equal amount of water with each flush.   By the way, don't use a brick for this purpose it will break down over time and destroy the flapper valve in your tank.

• Install low flow aerators and showerheads.  They are inexpensive, easy to install, and save energy as well as water.

• Take showers instead of tub baths.

• Never let the water run when shaving or brushing your teeth.

 

In the kitchen and laundry:

• Refrigerate a bottle of drinking water instead of letting a faucet flow until the water is cold enough to drink.

• Fill the sink instead of letting the water run when doing dishes.

• Install a low flow aerator on all faucets.  (For most of us, put the aerator you removed back on!)

• Don't pre-rinse dishes.  With most modern dishwashers this is unnecessary.

• Operate dishwashers and clothes washers only when full.  Also, be sure to select the proper water level or load size.

 

Around the house:

• Water lawns and gardens only when absolutely necessary.  Most established lawns and landscaping will survive seasonal dry periods without watering.  If you must, water during the coolest part of the day and adjust your sprinkler to make sure you are not watering the sidewalk or driveway. 

• Use a broom, not a hose, to clean sidewalks and driveways.

• Mulch around shrubs and garden plants to reduce evaporation.

• Use native plants for landscaping as they typically require less watering than ornamental varieties.

• Cover pools to reduce evaporation.