Water System - Conservation Tips : Environmental Services : Arlington, Virginia

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Water System - Conservation Tips

Arlington County Water Conservation Tips

Water fall picture The water supply for Arlington County has always been plentiful enough to provide a safe and reliable drinking water source for your home and business needs. We believe that future fresh water supplies will continue to be plentiful enough to meet the drinking water needs for the region.

However, as the demand for drinking water for the region continues to increase, water conservation becomes a topic of importance with the growth in population and development. This increase has the potential to impact water supplies. While we believe current and future supplies are adequate, drinking water is a precious natural resource that should be used wisely. Water conservation should be thought of not only in times of drought, but also as a daily practice. Daily water conservation will not only save water and energy, it will also save you money on your water bill!

We at the Department of Environmental Services, Water, Sewer, and Streets Bureau would like to take this opportunity to inform you of some simple ways to conserve water around your home or business. We hope these suggestions will not only help you to conserve water, but will also help to ensure regional water supplies remain adequate.

If you have any questions, comments or suggestions please contact DES at 703-228-6555.

Simple Tips To Save Water Around the House - Locate Your Main Shut-off Valve!

Locating your main water supply line and your main shut-off valve before trouble occurs will reduce water loss and additional damage to property if a leak were to occur. Some common locations are:
Where the water line comes into home
Near the clothes washer hook-up
Near the water heater

Tips for Inside Your Home:

Inspect your home for leaks. Unfixed drips can waste hundreds or thousands of gallons of water a month. Some common leak locations are:
Bathroom Toilets: The toilet is leaking if you can see or hear water running after the tank has stopped filling. A silent leak can be found by dripping some food color in the tank and waiting 10 minutes. If color appears in the bowl, you have a leak in the tank.
Do not use your toilet to flush items that can go in a garbage can.
Sinks and Tubs: If water continues to drip after the faucet is shut off, you may have either worn washers or a worn valve stem.
Do not let water run while you shave, brush your teeth or wash your face.
Dishwashers and Clothes Washers: Operate these appliances with full loads whenever possible.
Food preparation: Do not let the water run while you prepare or wash foods. Use the stopper and fill the sink.

Tips for Outside Your Home:

Check for leaks in pipes, hoses, faucets and couplings.
Driveways and Sidewalks: Use a broom to clean these areas.
Lawns and Gardens: Water only when needed, and when it is needed, deep soak the lawn and garden areas. Water early or late in the day when temperatures are cooler to avoid unnecessary evaporation.
Washing the Car: Use a bucket of soapy water and use the hose only for rinsing.
Swimming Pools: Get a cover for your pool. Evaporation can cause hundreds or thousands of gallons of water to disappear.
Children: This might be the toughest tip to enforce. Tell the kids not to play with the hose or sprinkler.