United Water Arkansas: Conservation Tips

We encourage our customers to use water wisely--even when supplies are abundant. If you don’t conserve, you’re pouring water -- and money -- down the drain. The average American can drink, shower and flush between 40 and 130 gallons of water every day. You can reduce your water consumption by up to 25 percent by taking just a few simple steps. So tighten those taps; monitor outdoor water use closely and use water wisely!

Here are some tips for conserving water inside your home:

Turn off the tap when brushing your teeth.
Never use your toilet as a wastebasket.
Use a partially filled sink to rinse your razor.
Take shorter showers, or, install water saving shower heads.
Take a shallow bath instead of a shower.
Chill tap water in the refrigerator for drinking.
Run the washing machine and the dishwasher only with full loads.

Here are some tips for conserving water outside your home:

Use a broom, not a hose, to clear debris from sidewalks.
Sprinkle the lawn -- not the pavement.
Water the lawn with a deep soak early in the morning.
Set your lawn mower one notch higher. Longer grass allows less evaporation.
Make sure your hose has a shut-off nozzle.
Wash your car with soap and water from a bucket of water.
Cover your pool to reduce evaporation.

You can use your water meter to detect leaks. Turn off all water fixtures and appliances, and make sure that no one is using water. If the small, red, diamond-shaped indicator on your water meter is moving, you probably have a leak somewhere. It could be a leaky toilet. Note: toilets can waste large amounts of water without being noticed! A one-quarter gallon-per-minute leak will waste 32,400 gallons of water in a three-month residential billing period! To check, drop 12 drops of food coloring into your toilet tank. Do not flush for 30 minutes. If colored water appears in your bowl during that time, you have a leak that should be repaired.

Plant a waterwise garden. A conservation or xeriscape garden requires little water. You can use a variety of trees, shrubs and colorful flowers in your garden. For more information see your local nursery or contact our office.

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United Water Resources

United Water is partnering with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as part of its WaterSense program. Look for the WaterSense label to choose quality, water-efficient products.