Much of Georgia is in a severe drought that is affecting the environment and water supplies - leaving lake levels at record lows and residents wondering what they can do to help. waterSmartSM, a water conservation education program founded by the Cobb County-Marietta Water Authority, is encouraging metro Atlantans to conserve indoors this winter to help save water, money, and time by offering information and resources to be waterSmart.
“waterSmart’
Water can be used more throughout the house, including the bathroom, kitchen and laundry room. By making simple habit changes and conservation-
Be waterSmart!
For easy ways to use less water indoors, follow these waterSmart tips:
Install an affordable low-flow showerhead to save an average of 30 gallons of water each time you shower
Always turn off the tap while brushing your teeth or washing your hands to save 4 to 10 gallons of water a day
Fix leaky toilets! Test for toilet leaks by adding food coloring to the tank. After 30 minutes, if color appears in the bowl, you have a leak. Make sure to get it repaired immediately. A leaking toilet can waste 200 gallons per day.
Place a 2 liter bottle in the tank of your standard toilet, away from the plunger, and save 2 liters of water every time you flush
Be sure to get in the shower right after you turn it on instead of leaving it running
Adjust the water level of your washing machine to match the size of your laundry load to save the average family up to 700 gallons of water per month
§ Take short showers rather than baths; they use less water
§ Use water-conserving plumbing fixtures and aerators on taps
§ Make sure your dishwasher has a full load, and use the short cycle on your dishwasher to save 15 gallons per load
§ Pour unwanted bottled water on a thirsty house plant instead of down the drain
§ Don’t drip outdoor faucets during freezing temperatures - a common practice used widely among residents. Instead, insulate all outdoor pipes to avoid freezing. Waterproof insulation is available at home and hardware stores.
§ Check in and around the home for leaky faucets and pipes to prevent wasting water
Schedule an appliance maintenance check-up every 3-4 years to ensure performance efficiency
“This is our fourth year of drought and it’s supposed to be a dry winter this year with little rain to help raise our water levels,” says Lisa Coghlan, deputy of public affairs for the Army Corps of Engineers, Mobile District. “With Lake Lanier at its record low for this time of year, it is necessary for residents to take action and conserve as much water as possible.”
“Water is a valuable and precious resource that is essential for health, hygiene, safety and quality of life, and waterSmart is dedicated to helping people find simple ways to save water, time and money,” Mixon says. By conserving water inside the home today, individuals can help make a difference in providing a sustainable supply of clean water for generations to come. For more information on water conservation and waterSmart, please visit www.waterSmart.net.
About waterSmart
The waterSmartSM program was initiated by the Cobb County-Marietta Water Authority (CCMWA) in 2000 to educate their service area residents of all ages about the importance of indoor and outdoor water conservation and to help encourage sustainable, year-round conservation, regardless of climate conditions. The CCMWA is in its eighth year of providing the waterSmart program to the community. For more information on water conservation and waterSmart, visit www.waterSmart.net .
