Cutting back your home’s water use might be as simple as picking up a brick, local emergency managers say.

Wednesday, February 02, 2000

Cutting back your home’s water use might be as simple as picking up a brick, local emergency managers say.

"They make fancy ways of doing it now, but you can put a brick in your toilet tank to keep less water from flushing out," Lawrence County Emergency Management Agency deputy director Mike Boster said.

The brick, or bricks, will conserve water by taking up some of the space normally filled by water, he said.

Although drought conditions haven’t created an emergency, residents should start thinking about such conservation measures in the wake of this week’s announcement by Hecla Water that supplies are low, Boster said.

"If everybody follows just a few conservation measures, collectively it does a little good," he said. "It’s important to remember, to make yourself aware, that at times we waste water and don’t even think about it."

For example, when brushing teeth, don’t leave the water running, or cut the shower off while soaping up, Boster said.

Washing dishes by hand can waste water, too, because many people leave a faucet running while scrubbing, he said.

And, although water-conserving toilets now are different, the average toilet uses five gallons of water per flush.

"Being aware is key," Boster said. "I think if people conserve voluntarily, we shouldn’t hit the stage where we insist that people conserve."

When water supplies are low, state emergency managers suggest several other methods for conserving water, which are listed below.

Conservation measures for residential users:

– Locate and repair all leaks faucets, toilets and water-using appliances.

– Adjust all water-using appliances to use the minimum amount of water.

– Use washing machines and dishwashers only with full loads, Preferably, wash dishes by hand, but don’t leave the faucet running.

– Set hot water heaters at least 10 degrees lower to discourage lengthy shower taking.

– Where plumbing fixtures can accommodate them, install flow-restricting or other water-saving devices.

– Reduce the number of toilet flushes per day, or use toilet tank displacement inserts.

– Use sink and tub stoppers to avoid wasting water.

– Keep a bottle of chilled water in the refrigerator.

Conservation measures for non-residential users:

– Repair leaky fixtures on equipment connected directly to water lines, such as processing machines, washing machines, water-cooled air conditioners, furnaces and others.

– Assure that valves and solenoids that control water are shut off completely when the water-using cycle is not engaged and adjust equipment to use the minimum amount of water.

– Shorten rinse cycles for laundry machines as much as possible.

– For cooling and other uses where possible, either reuse water or use water that does not affect public sources.

– Advise employees to flush toilets less. Install toilet tank displacement inserts. Close down automatic flush systems overnight.

– Post water conservation posters and literature.

– Review usage patterns to see where other savings can be made.

Conservation measures for hospitals and health care facilities:

– During a water emergency, reduce laundry use or services by changing bed linens only where necessary to preserve the health or patients or residents.

– Use disposable food service items.