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Water Consumption
by the Numbers
Follow these easy steps to
determine how many gallons of water your household
is using on a daily basis, and how it compares to
your residence's TCSD daily allotment.
-
 To
determine the number of cubic feet used in a
month, add 2 zeros to the digit(s) on your monthly
bill. Example: If on your November bill there
appears a "10", times that number
by 100 for a total of 1000 cubic feet used.
- Convert the total cubic
feet into gallons by multiplying by 7.48 gallons.
So, if a household has used 1000 cubic feet,
it has actually used 7,480 gallons during that
particular month.
- Divide the monthly total
of gallons by the number of days in that month
to determine an average daily total. In this
case 7,480 gallons divided by 30 equals 249.33
gallons per day.
- Compare this total to
the 430 gallon daily residential allotment afforded
most households. In this case the residents
are water wise, not water wasteful, as they
are using less than the daily allotment.
- In most cases, a high water bill is directly related to your landscape irrigation practices. Don't over water and don't water too frequently. Step on the grass: if it rebounds, wait another day to water it. In addition, the following are major uses of water:
| Outdoor
watering |
10
gallons per minute |
| Washing
machine |
60
gallons per minute |
| Tub
bath (full) |
36
gallons |
| Shower
with water running |
25
gallons |
| Shaving
with water running |
20
gallons |
| Automatic
dishwasher |
16
gallons |
Once you've mastered your
monthly calculation, try the yearly. You may be
quite surprised at the amount of water consumed.
For additional information on water conservation,
contact Michelle Costa, Water Conservation Coordinator
at 434-4914.
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Please Use
Water Wisely! |
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Water lanscaping moderately
to encourage deep, healthier roots in plants and turf |
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Mulch around plants and in
flower beds |
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Inspect outdoor irrigation
and repair leaks promptly |
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Use shut-off nozzles when
washing vehicles |
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Avoid using garden hoses or
sprinklers to cool off |
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Keep chilled water handy in
the refrigerator |
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Wash full laundry loads only |
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April Showers |
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A common saying promises that “April showers bring May flowers”, but what if April is dry? With lower than average rainfall this past winter, it has become even more important to garden with water conservation in mind. By practicing these water saving landscape maintenance strategies, May flowers can be a reality for you and your garden: 4 Include Mediterranean-climate plants in your landscape design whenever possible. Complimentary copies of “Backyards from the Ground Up”, by Sunset Magazine, are available in the TCSD lobby to help you with design projects.)
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Locate plants with similar water
needs together. |
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Dig basins around the base of plants to maximize water absorption, and then weed them regularly |
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Cover areas around plants with a organic mulch like shredded bark, to hold moisture in the soil and rejuvenate its nutrients. |
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Reduce evaporation by watering in the early morning or evening. |
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Use drip irrigation to water, whenever it is possible and practical. |
For more tips on how to save water in your landscape, contact Michelle Costa, Water Conservation Coordinator at 434-4914.
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