HomeMy Public PortalAbout1999_07_27_r233 The Town of
Leesburg,
Virginia
RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION:
99-233
REQUESTING VOLUNTARY WATER
WATER CUSTOMERS
PRESENTED July 27, 1999
ADOPTED July 27, 1999
CONSERVATION BY LEESBURG
WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, on July 14, 1999, adopted a
resolution requesting member governments of the Council to encourage voluntary water conservation
within each jurisdiction, and
WHEREAS, continued below average rainfall, record low flows in the Potomac River, extreme
drought conditions this summer, and record high water demands have environmentally stressed the Potomac
River; and
WHEREAS, the Council of the Town of Leesburg feels it would be prudent to conserve our natural
resources during this time of extreme drought.
THEREFORE, RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Leesburg in Virginia as follows:
The customers of Leesburg's water utility system are hereby urged to institute the attached water
conservation measures titled "Conserving Water Indoors/Outdoors" until such time as water levels are
restored in the Potomac River basin.
PASSED this 27th day of July, 1999.
C~rk of Council
Ja~es E. Clem, Mayor
Town of Leesburg
Ijs:FR&O:R133
CONSERVING WATER
IN THE KITCHEN AND LAUNDRY
Keep a container of water in the refrigerator to avoid running water for a cold drink.
Avoid running water to thaw food.
Run the dishwasher only when you have a full load. Automatic dishwashers use about 15
gallons of water per load.
If washing dishes by hand, don't let water run continuously for rinsing.
Use a bowl of water to clean and prepare vegetables, rather than letting the faucet run.
Use your garbage disposal less ot~en and compost instead.
When doing laundry, use the right water level to match the size of the load. Otherwise, wash
only full loads. Each load of laundry normally requires 50 gallons or more of water.
Check hose connections for leaks.
IN THE BATHROOM
One of the best ways to save water inside the home is by replacing the parts inside your toilet
tanks every few years. Leaking toilets can send over 1,000 gallons of water down the drain in
a single day. Because they are often difficult to see or hear, toilet leaks surprise many
customers in the form of an unusually high water bill. Internal toilet parts, like tires on a car,
wear out over time and need to be replaced. Doing it before they begin leaking saves water
and money.
Test for toilet leaks by adding food coloring to the water tank. Don't flush for 15 minutes. If
there is color in the bowl after 15 minutes, you may have a leak.
Install water saving low-flow showerheads.
Don't use the toilet to dispose of tissues or other trash. Every flush uses 3½-7 gallons of
water.
When replacing fixtures, install water saving models.
A bathtub filled half full holds about 50 gallons of water. Consider showering instead.
Limit the length of showers to two or three minutes. An unrestricted showerhead runs at 5 to
10 gallons a minutes.
Avoid letting the water run while shaving, brushing your teeth, and washing your face.
Teach children to turn faucets off tightly after use.
CONSERVING WATER
U DOOR I
SAVE WATER ON THE LAWN
Avoid excessive watering. Most lawns need only an inch of water per week to stay healthy.
Measure the amount of time it takes your sprinkler to deliver that much water, and do not
exceed the total time for the week. A shallow container, such as a tuna can, can be used to
measure the water.
Use short cycles (5 minutes) at least an hour apart to reduce runoff.
Reduce evaporation by watering in the evening or early in the morning.
Set sprinklers carefully to avoid watering paved areas.
Avoid sprinklers that spray a fine mist, which increases evaporation.
Aerate the soil in the spring and fall to reduce runoff.
Keep the grass 2-3" long to enhance root development with minimal watering.
LANDSCAPE WISELY
Minimize grassy areas, which require the most water.
Plant water efficient grasses, plants, trees, and shrubs.
Use mulch to help the soil retain moisture and to reduce the growth of weeds.
Use drip irrigation to water plants, trees, and shrubs.
Plant in the spring or fall, when watering requirements are lower.
OTHER OUTDOOR TIPS
Shut off and drain the water lines to outside spigots in the winter. This prevents freezing
temperatures from causing expensive leaks.
If you have an automatic sprinkler system, inspect it regularly for leaks and malfunctioning
parts.
Avoid using the hose to clean areas that could be swept with a broom.
When washing vehicles, run the water only to wet and rinse. Use a container to hold the water
used for washing.