[Durham INC] Durham Urges "WaterSense" to Reduce Usage and Cost

[Blalock, Amy]

CITY OF DURHAM

Office of Public Affairs

101 City Hall Plaza

Durham, NC 27701

 

 

News Release

 

For Details, Contact:

Amy Blalock

Sr. Public Affairs Specialist

(919) 560-4123 x 253

(919) 475-7735 (cell)

Amy.Blalock at durhamnc.gov <mailto:Amy.Blalock at durhamnc.gov> 

 

For Immediate Release:  August 11, 2009

 

When Water Use Reaches Its Peak, Make Savings a Goal

 

DURHAM, N.C. - With many Durham homeowners seeing their water bills
spike this summer, using a little "WaterSense" can help them save - both
money and water. 

 

According to James Lim, conservation coordinator with the City of
Durham's Department of Water Management, during "peak water season,"
which usually occurs in July and August, consumers use from three to
five times more water than during the rest of the year. "The average
Durham home uses about 145 gallons of water per day," said Lim. "During
peak water season, the numbers can more than double or even triple. We
have even seen some households use as much as 1,000 gallons per day
during this time of year. When the mercury rises on the thermometer, so
does our community's water use."

 

Durham's new water rates went into effect earlier this month, making
saving water now an effective way to limit monthly expenses.  "With
Durham's tiered rates, the less water you use, the more you save on your
bill," Lim said.

 

According to Peter S. Silva, assistant administrator for water with the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in addition to putting a
strain on wallets, peak water use also strains water supplies. "Peak
water use can be expensive, taxes local water systems, and threatens
future water supply and quality," said Silva. "A few simple changes can
help consumers reduce their water bills, and in turn, save them money." 

 

The WaterSense label is an easy way to identify products that use at
least 20 percent less water while ensuring product performance.  In
fact, in 2008 alone, WaterSense-labeled toilets, faucets, and faucet
accessories helped American consumers save more than 9.3 billion gallons
of water and realize more than $55 million in savings on water and sewer
bills. That is enough water to supply 100,000 average households for a
year.  

 

More than 300 different toilet models and 1,000 different faucets and
accessories such as aerators have earned the WaterSense label since
2007.  

 

Durham is continuing to offer $100 rebates on WaterSense-labeled toilets
for its single family residential customers who install these efficient
models.  To date, 597 rebates have been issued, representing a total
average savings of 7,673 gallons of water per day.

 

In addition to using WaterSense-labeled products, Lim recommends that
Durham residents use these water-saving tips to help scale back peak
water use this summer:

 

*         Durham's Year-Round Efficiency Ordinance limits irrigation
based on customer addresses.  Odd addresses may water on Tuesday,
Thursday, and Saturday.  Even addresses may water on Sunday, Wednesday,
and Friday.  No watering is permitted between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. on any
day.  Only water yards, gardens, and landscaping when needed.  

 

*         Wash only full loads of laundry and dishes, and scrape dishes
instead of rinsing when loading the dishwasher.  Consider replacing
fixtures with new models that are water and energy efficient.

 

*         For summer refreshment, keep a pitcher of water in the fridge
instead of running the tap until its cold.

 

*         Put a favorite handyperson to work fixing leaks around the
home, which could help save about 200 gallons of water per week.

 

For more ideas on saving water this summer, including conservation tips,
information on the irrigation schedule and the toilet rebate program,
visit www.DurhamSavesWater.org. 

 

About the Department of Water Management

The City's Department of Water Management is responsible for the
operation and maintenance of Durham's water supply, water treatment and
water reclamation (wastewater treatment) facilities, the collection and
distribution systems (including meter reading) and customer billing
services.  For more information, visit www.durhamnc.gov/departments/wm. 

 

About EPA's WaterSense Program

WaterSense is a partnership program sponsored by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency to protect the future of our nation's water supply by
promoting and enhancing the market for water-efficient products and
services. WaterSense labeled products must achieve independent,
third-party testing and certification to prove they meet EPA's criteria
for efficiency and performance.  The City of Durham is a proud
WaterSense partner.

 

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