Water Conservation Tips
As many of you know, the source of the Bellmawr water supply is the Potomac-Raritan-Magothy Aquifer. Many other South Jersey communities also depend on this same source for their municipal water supply. With the rapid development and expansion of those communities using this source of supply, the level of the acquifer has reached a level where we must all be concerned with conservation.
The Bellmawr Water Department would like to offer some water conservation tips, which will help you save water and at the same time save money.
- Check every faucet in your home for leaks. A slow drip from your faucet can waste 15 to 20 gallons a day. You should have the leak fixed immediately and you could save up to 6,000 gallons of water each year.
- Check your toilet for leaks. To check, just add some food coloring to your toilet storage tank, watch for a few minutes without flushing and see if the food coloring shows up in the bowl. It is not uncommon to waste up to 100 gallons a day from one of these invisible toilet leaks.
- Do not shower too long or over fill the bathtub. Remember five minutes in the shower or 5 inches of water in the tub is plenty.
- Run full loads in both the dishwasher and clothes washer.
- Water your lawn either early in the morning or late in the day. Please don't over water and have water running down the curb line.
- Residents are requested to check the leak detector on your water meter periodically. If you notice the center triangle is fluctuating, or moving when all the water is off in your home, it is possible that you may have a leak in your system, causing an increase in your quarterly water bill.
- Turn down the temperature on your hot water heater. Overheating can cause rusty water thus staining your clothes when doing your wash. Also you will save money on your energy bill.
Every Drop Counts
- Turn off the water while you brush your teeth. 4-10 gallons saved per day.
- When shaving fill the basin instead of letting the hot water run. 4-10 gallons per day.
- Fill the tub half full if you take a tub bath. 16 gallons saved per bath.
- Take five-minute showers. 21-26 gallons saved per shower.
- Run a full load of dishes in the dishwasher or wash a full load of laundry in the washing machine instead of a partial load. 15 gallons saved per day.
- Install a low-flow showerhead. 20 gallons saved every five minutes
- Reduce the amount of water used for each toilet by filling two plastic one-quart bottles with sand or rocks, and placing them in the toilet tank. 10 or more gallons saved per day.