Understand your water bill
Track your usage to understand how you use water and how you are being billed for that usage. Springs Utilities bills residential customers using a conservation rate structure, which basically means that the more water you use, the more the average price of each unit used costs. We bill in cubic feet and one cubic foot is equal to 7.48 gallons. So, 1,000 cubic feet equals 7,480 gallons. The following chart shows, in gallons, how the average price of water increases as use increases.
It is important to understand how much you are using, so that you can know what water costs and, in turn, what investments in efficiency improvements might save. Remember that wasted water is the most expensive water you buy.
Schedule your lawn watering properly
Water waste as a result of poor lawn water scheduling is very common, but is preventable with some basic information and attention to detail. The objective of each watering, whether it’s with an automatic system or hose-end sprinkler, is to apply the ideal amount of water to the plants. To know how long and how often to water we have created a Lawn Irrigation Scheduling Calculator to help you. You will need to know what your expectations are for the appearance of your lawn, the area of lawn that you water, your soil texture, your estimated root depth, and your sprinkler type.
Soil texture is sometimes difficult to know, so we have included a link in the calculator to help you determine what it is. If you are unsure, choose “Loam”. If you get runoff using the recommended water time, change your choice to “Clay Loam” and check it again. Clay absorbs water slowly, so watering too long will result in runoff which should be avoided.
For your automatic sprinkler systems, your sprinkler heads are either “spray” or “rotor”. If the head does not rotate, choose “spray”. Default precipitation rates are given for each head type, but you can adjust them if you know it is different. If you have both types of heads on one zone, you will have very uneven coverage. Head types should not be mixed on one zone.
Install a rain sensor
If you have an automatic system, you should install a rain sensor to reduce water waste. Rain sensors can save large amounts water at very little cost and they make your life easier because you don’t have to worry about shutting your system off every time it rains. These devices are relatively easy to install, and we offer a rebate on qualified sensors.
Improve the efficiency of your sprinkler system
Now that you have your watering schedule set up properly, your sprinkler system’s inefficiencies may become more apparent. Resist the temptation to simply turn up the time on the controller or add more watering days. There are several easy and inexpensive things most people can do to improve their watering efficiency. Make sure that sprinkler heads are straight, not obstructed by plants or other objects, and not spraying on non-vegetated surfaces. Head spacing is also very important for efficient watering. Ideally, they should be spaced so that they water just to the next head. New high-efficiency nozzles may also help improve overall system efficiency with few if any other modifications to the system.
Eliminate leaks
Waste is costly and often more prevalent than many people think. It is estimated that about 5 percent of water use in the home is lost to leaks. Fortunately, most leaks in and around the home are easy to fix with basic tools, inexpensive parts, and just a drop of knowledge.
Unfortunately, not all leaks are obvious. To know for sure, you should check your water meter. Read the meter before and after a two-hour period when water is not being used. If the meter does not read exactly the same, there is a leak and the monthly cost of that leak can easily be estimated.
Consider installing a WaterSense toilet
Toilets are by far the main source of water use inside the home, accounting for nearly 30 percent of an average home's indoor water consumption. Older, inefficient toilets also happen to be a major source of leaks. Replacing these toilets with WaterSense high-efficiency toilets could save more than 15,000 gallons each year! That’s about $94 saved in 2010 including wastewater charges and about $540 over five years with projected rate increases.
WaterSense toilets meet rigorous criteria for both performance and efficiency. Many models are available locally and priced competitively with standard toilets. With our rebate, your investment is minimal.
Install WaterSense showerheads
WaterSense also labels showerheads and bathroom faucets. While the savings with these fixtures can’t match that with toilets, they are definitely worth considering – particularly if you have a bathroom remodel on your list of things to do. The average household could save more than 2,300 gallons per year by installing WaterSense showerheads. Since these water savings reduce demands on water heaters, households also save energy. In fact, a household could save 300 kilowatt hours of electricity annually, enough to power its television use for about a year (epa.gov). And because standards for all WaterSense fixtures include performance criteria, you can be sure you will not have to sacrifice a good shower in order to achieve water savings.
Install WaterSense faucet aerators
By installing WaterSense bathroom sink faucets or faucet accessories, an average household can save more than 500 gallons each year (epa.gov). Also, since these water savings reduce demands on water heaters, households also save energy. If the cost of a new bathroom faucet is not in your budget, consider installing WaterSense faucet aerators instead. These simple devices can cost as little as a few dollars and reduce flow rates by about a half gallon per minute.
Check your water pressure
Most customers who need one already have a pressure-reducing valve (PRV) in their house, but you may want to consider putting one on your sprinkler system if your outside pressure exceeds 50 or 60 psi. 40 to 60 psi is generally an ideal range for indoor fixtures, while most sprinkler systems operate most efficiently at about 30 psi. In fact, too much pressure is one of the leading causes of sprinkler water waste.
A recent study showed an annual water savings of about 6 percent for homes that received water service at lower pressures compared to homes that received water service at higher pressures. A reduction in water pressure can save water by reducing flow volumes; and the likelihood of leaking water pipes, leaking water heaters, and dripping faucets (www.epa.gov). You can purchase a water pressure test gauge at your local home supply or hardware store and they are easily used by attaching them to a faucet, shower stem, or outdoor hose bib. We recommend using a qualified plumber if you have a problem with, or are considering adjusting, an existing PRV.
Consider an alternative to the traditional lawn
Watering your lawn more efficiently can certainly save water and money. But if your lawn is already in pretty bad shape and you don’t know if you can bring it back – don’t give up. Your landscape is a very important part of the investment you’ve made in your home, and lawns are a valuable part of our urban environment. But if it’s just not working out, there are options.
Xeriscape may not be for everyone, but it may be for you. Learn about classes we provide related to improving the health of your landscape and reducing your water bill. Also visit our award-winning Xeriscape Demonstration Garden at 2855 Mesa Road, or our newer garden next to the Recreation Center in Cottonwood Creek Park - you may be surprised by what you see and learn.
