It's time
to start
conserving
water!
AC ity Page
Central North Carolina is in its fourth year of drought. Water levels in lakes and
reservoirs are down. The Yadkin River, which supplies most of Forsyth County's water,
recently dropped to the lowest level ever recorded in the past 38 years.
We all need to start conserving water. The good news is, it's easy! Follow the tips
on this page to see just how easy it is. Simply cutting back on the schedule for
watering your lawn can make a huge difference - not only in your water usage, but in
your water bill!
So, starting today, try to do one thing each day to save water. Don't worry if the
savings are minimal.
When it comes to water;
every drop counts!
Water-wise
Dos & Don'ts
In the kitchen
? Do use water in a bowl to clean fruits & vegetables instead of
washing them under running water. Faucets use 2-3 gallons of
water a minute. Afterwards, use the water in the bowl to water
your house plants.
? Do store drinking water in the refrigerator instead of running the
tap to get cool water.
? Don't leave the water running when you wash dishes by hand.
? Do run the dishwasher only when it is full. Dishwashers use 8-12
gallons per load.
? Do fix a leaking faucet. A faucet dripping at the rate of one drop a
second wastes 2,700 gallons a year. A constant drip can go
through as much as 100 gallons a day!
? Don't defrost food under running water.
? Don't rinse plates before putting them in the dishwasher. Scrape
them and let the machine do the rest.
Does your house have a water leak? \
Undetected water leaks can add up. Here's an easy way to \
check your property for a water leak: \
( Turn off all your faucets and taps and make sure the I
\ washing machine, dishwasher and ice maker are not going \
\ (along with any other appliance that uses water, such as a \
\ humidifier). \
\ Then go look at your water meter. (Most meters are \
\ under a metal plate nearthe street.) The meter's leak /\
\ indicator (a small red & white dial) should not be turning. / \
\ If it is turning, you've got a leak somewhere in your / / \
\ plumbing or in the water line leading into your house. / / \
In the bathroom
? Do fill the bathtub only halfway and save 10
15 gallons. And stop up the tub before
turning on the water. The initial burst of cold
water will be warmed by hot water that flews
in later.
? Do take shorter showers and save 5-10
gallons per minute.
? Do install water-saving showerheads that
provide a vigorous spray while reducing water
flow to 3-5 gallons per minute.
? Don't leave the water running while you brush
your teeth or shave. Faucets use 2-3 gallons
a minute.
? Do fill a plastic laundry or soap bottle and
place it in the toilet tank. (Don't use bricks;
they crumble and can cause plumbing
problems!)
? Don't use your toilet as a waste basket.
? Do check your toilet for leaks: Put a small
amount of food coloring in the tank and wait
30 minutes. If the water in the bowl is
colored, replace the flapper inside the toilet
tank. (Flush immediately after the test so the
food coloring does not stain the bowl.)
;nri^miajttanrt- i 1 ?
Outdoors
? Don't wash your car at home, take it to a commercial car wash that
recycles water.
? Do use a drip hose to water your flowers and vegetables.
? Don't water gardens or lawns in the heat of the day, when up to 90
percent of the water is lost through evaporation.
? Do replace hoses with leaks that waste water where it is not needed.
? Don't use a hose to clean sidewalks and driveways.
? Do mulch your flower and garden beds to reduce evaporation and
weeds.
? Do adjust your sprinklers so they don't water the sidewalk and driveway.
? Do follow the water-wise tips on this page for watering your lawn! It's the
single best way to conserve water!
Conserving water 9
conserves your cash!
Follow the conservation tips on this page and watch the water bill of this
family of four go down!
Action Water Saved Money
per month Saved*
Reduce watering your lawn to every other day 7,500 gal. $10.78
Wash car with a bucket instead of a hose 100 gal. .14
Fix a faucet that drips one drop per second 225 gal. .32
Turn off the water while everyone brushes 1,440 gal. 2.07
Turn off the water while the father shaves 120 gal. .17
Put a one-gal. jug in toilet water tanks 100 gal. 14
Run dishwasher only when it's full, saving 15 cycles 150 gal. .22
Run only full loads in washing machine, save 10 cycles 500 |al. .72
Reduce showers to 5 minutes from 10 1.800 gal. 2.59
Wash food in a bowl instead of under running water 240 gal. .34
Total savings per month 12,175 gal. $17.49
How much could YOU save?
* Based on the City/County Utility Commission m-city rate of $1,075 for every 748 gallons. Non-city
residents pay 50 percent more. Savings do not apply to customers paying the minimum monthly charge.
In the laundry
? Do run your washing
machine only when you
have a full load. Washing
machines use up to 50
gallons per cycle.
Watering Your Lawn
When it comes to conserving water, nothing helps as
much as reducing the frequency of watering your
lawn. And you won't even notice the difference.
And did you know that wise lawn watering also
helps to build a stronger, healthier lawn? Constant
over-watering or frequent under-watering promotes
shallow roots, which is a sure way to damage your
lawn during times of stress. These stressful times for
your lawn include not only the hot summer months,
but also the cold winter months when there is really
nothing you can do for an unhealthy lawn.
The healthiest lawns have the healthiest roots.
The best watering practices moisten the soil 4-6
inches deep; this is the extent of the root zone, and
requires only about 1 inch of water.
When to water your lawn
Water your lawn at the first signs of moisture
stress. The easiest way to tell if moisture stress is
present is to look for footprints on your lawn. When
you can see footprints on your lawn (meaning your
lawn doesn't spring back up after you have walked
across it) water your lawn. Do not water again until
you see footprints again. Water when the sun will
cause the least evaporation. Watering in the early
morning is best. The next best practice is to water in
the evening, but do it early enough so the grass is not
wet overnight, which could enhance fungal growth.
Other signs include: a bluish gray color, wilted, folded,
or curled leaves.
How much water do I need to moisten the
soil 4-6 inches deep?
One inch for clay soils. A half-inch for sandy soils.
How do I know when I've put out 1 inch
of water?
This is easy! Put a few old cans out on the lawn
next time you water. When they fill up 1 Inch - you're
done. Check how long that took. Next time you water
just turn on the sprinklers for that amount of time.
The City of Winston-Salem does not discriminate on the basisof race,
sex. color, age. national origin, religion or disability in its employment
opportunities, programs, services or activities.
(TDD number 727-8319)
CltyPage Is published through the cooperative efforts of the City of
Winston-Salem and the Winston-Salem Chronicle.
Question or concern about city-government services?
Call Citizens Service 727-8000.
??> Mayor: Allen Joines
Board of Aldermen: Vivian H. Burke. Mayor Pro Tempore. Northeast Ward:
Dan Besse. Southwest Ward: Robert C. Clark. West Ward;
Joycelyn V. Johnson. Eafet Ward: Nelson L. Mallcy Jr.. North Ward;
Wanda Merschel. Northwest Ward; Vemon Robinson, South Ward:
Frederick N. Terry. Southeast Waid
City Manager: Bryce A. Stuart
Winston-Salem ? Forsyth County
City/County Utilities
Water ? Sewer ? Solid Waste Disposal