Water Conservation
We are fortunate to have Cayuga Lake to draw water from. It costs money to pump the water up the hills to the customers. We should all be environmentally conscious and help conserve one of our most precious natural resources.
Fix leaky faucets--Just a slow drip can waste 15 to 20 gallons a day.
Check for leaks--How can you tell if you have a leak? Read your water meter. If possible, turn off any water-using appliances such as an ice-maker or humidifier. Take a meter reading before going to bed and do not use any water overnight. Then take another reading in the morning. The readings should be the same. If they are not, you have a leak.
Check the toilets--Toilet leaks are notorious for contributing to very high water bills. It pays to check them periodically; and if you find that you have a toilet leak, repair it as soon as possible.
Check for silent toilet leaks--Put some food coloring in the tank and wait 30 minutes. If the food coloring appears in the toilet bowl, then you have a leak.
Other ways to check the toilet--a.) Make sure the water level in the toilet tank is about 1/2" to 1" below the top of the overflow pipe. Otherwise, water could be draining continuously down the pipe. b.) After flushing, check to see if the water shuts off after the tank has filled. If you continue to hear water running, then you have a leak.
Install flow restrictors in showerheads and faucets-- A shower without a flow restrictor can use 4 to 5 gallons per minute. A ten minute shower would use 50 gallons of water. Installing flow restrictors would reduce the flow to 2.5 gallons per minutes. The savings will add up over time.
Use full loads in your washing machine--When washing clothes, wait until you have a full load. The same applies for using a dishwasher. Run it only when full.
When cleaning sidewalks, driveways and garages, use a broom or leaf blower, rather than a hose, to remove debris.