AWWA encourages conservation as part of Drinking Water Week

(DENVER) — During the celebration of Drinking Water Week, the American Water Works Association continues to encourage consumers to preserve water supplies and protect water resources.

As different areas of North America face drought conditions, avoiding waste through responsible water conservation measures is vital to protecting precious source water. Water consumers can practice conservation by using water wisely at home through the following steps, which are available on DrinkTap.org:

•    Repair leaky faucets, indoors and out.
•    Fill your sink or basin when washing and rinsing dishes.
•    Only run the dishwasher and washing machine when they are full.
•    Take short showers instead of baths.
•    Turn off the water to brush teeth, shave and soap up in the shower. Fill the sink to shave.
•    Repair leaky toilets. Add 12 drops of food coloring into the tank, and if color appears in the bowl one hour later, the toilet is leaking.
•    Install a toilet dam, faucet aerators and low-flow showerheads.
•    Apply mulch around shrubs and flower beds to reduce evaporation, promote plant growth and control weeds.
•    Collect rainfall for irrigation in a screened container (to prevent mosquito larvae growth).
•    Always use a broom to clean walkways, driveways, decks and porches, rather than hosing off these areas.

“We hope consumers learn conservation measures during Drinking Water Week that they can implement into their daily lives. It is extremely important that everybody does their share to safeguard water,” said AWWA Chief Executive Officer David LaFrance. “Every drop we save at home is one more drop we have in our water supply.”

More information about drought and water conservation is available on DrinkTap.org.  

About Drinking Water Week
For more than 40 years, AWWA and its members have celebrated Drinking Water Week, a unique opportunity for both water professionals and the communities they serve to join together in recognizing the vital role water plays in daily lives. Additional information about Drinking Water Week, including free materials for download and celebration ideas, is available on the Drinking Water Week webpage.

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Established in 1881, the American Water Works Association is the largest nonprofit, scientific and educational association dedicated to managing and treating water, the world’s most important resource. With approximately 51,000 members, AWWA provides solutions to improve public health, protect the environment, strengthen the economy and enhance our quality of life.