Now, more than ever, it’s important to be mindful of your in-home water usage. Here are some quick tips to help you save water inside your home.
When washing your hands to protect public health, turn off the faucet while you lather and scrub.
Take shorter showers.
Use the dishwasher instead of washing dishes by hand.
Find and repair any leaks
Toilet leaks are the most common cause of high-water bills. Check out this video to help you detect one of these silent, but expensive, leaks.
Saving Water Outside the Home
The consumption rate for water-saving devices or products varies significantly. Check plumbing product packaging to determine the product's water efficiency. Be as careful and efficient outdoors as you are inside the home. Here are some quick tips:
Hoses
Check hose and connectors. Repair or replace leaky parts or sections.
Use a nozzle that can be shut off or adjusted to fine spray.
When finished, shut off at the house instead of at nozzle to avoid leaks.
Consider a water-saving drip irrigation system, which provides a slow, steady supply of water to gardens and shrubbery.
Hose bibbs and outdoor faucets are often left running -- particularly in the spring and summer; take steps to prevent someone from using your water. When leaving your home for an extended period, turn your outdoor faucet off from the inside valve to protect against water loss. If you are unable to find this valve, please contact us. A customer service advisor would be happy to help you by calling 301-206-4001 from Monday – Friday 7:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Lawn & Garden
Water slowly and thoroughly during cool, windless hours.
Let grass grow taller in hot weather.
Use mulch to save moisture.
Plant native and other shrubs that require less watering.
Use a broom or rake instead of water to remove leaves, clippings and other debris, from driveways or walkways.
Adjust irrigation system settings as needed to reduce watering time and frequency.
Car
Rinse car once, wash from bucket of soapy water, rinse quickly again.
Used water is fine for chrome, hub caps and wheels.
Pool
Keep level low to minimize splashing. Use a cover to slow evaporation (keeps water cleaner, too).
Check walls, filtration systems and inlets; repair where needed.
A sub-meter could reduce your ADC because you don’t pay sewer charges on OUTSIDE water usage.
