CONSERVING WATER TO PRESERVE OUR RESOURCES

Every drop of water does count and each person can make a difference to help preserve and conserve this important resource. Because water is usually plentiful, easily available, and generally inexpensive, we often consider it to be an almost limitless resource – it is not. Water conservation practices help preserve our existing water supplies and help ensure our water resources will be available for future generations.

Retrofitting is replacing, changing, or modifying existing older plumbing fixtures in homes or businesses with those that are designed to save water. Older, water-guzzling plumbing fixtures should be replaced with low-flow or reduced-flow devices.

Retrofitting to save water will lower utility bills. The more water that comes into homes or businesses, the more water there is that must be disposed of through sewer systems. This also costs money. Many simple, easy-to-install water-saving devices will lower water and sewer bills enough to make up for the initial costs within just a few months. Offering a replacement/exchange program for outdated, high water consumption devices can help make retrofitting a reality.

It has been estimated that a family of four could save between 10,000 to 20,000 gallons of water a year by repairing leaking faucets and toilets, installing low-flow aerators, placing dams or bottles in toilets, installing flow restrictors or replacing showerheads with low-flow ones. A simple task such as fixing leaks could save hundreds of gallons of water each year.