Water Conservation

PROTECT AND CONSERVE OUR WATER

The Whidbey West Water Association Board is committed to the conservation of our water which is a precious resource. During the months of May through September our water usage is at its highest. Verify that your house is water leak free. Repair these leaks promptly. If you require any help, contact the WWWA Board and we will assist in leak determination and prevention.

Note: As verified by the Water Resources Explorer tool Whidbey West Water System currently has two water rights, with a total instantaneous withdrawal limit of 130 gallons per minute (gpm) and an annual limit of 39 acre-feet (12,708,205.653 gallons) per year .

Please consider the following water saving tips:

  • Avoid excessive use of your irrigation systems.
  • Never waste water when there may be another use for it, such as watering a garden.
  • Operate dishwashers and clothes washers ONLY when they are fully loaded.
  • Consider a barrel collection device to collect rain water to water your lawns and gardens.
  • Don’t let water unnecessarily run down your drain while shaving, brushing your teeth, or washing your hands.
  • Avoid washing your cars at home. Instead, use a car wash that recycles the used water.
  • Try to do one thing each day that will result in saving water. Don’t worry if the savings are minimal. Every drop counts. Don’t just USE water – think about using water WISELY.

This is your water system and you CAN make a difference!

Verify that your house is water leak free. Many homes have hidden leaks as well as obvious leaks:

  1. Read your water meter before and after a one-hour period when NO water is used.
  2. If the meter reads a usage you have a leak.
  3. Repair these leaks promptly.
  4. If you require any help, contact the WWWA Board and we will assist in leak determination and prevention.

These links and videos provides information about water leaks and how to minimize your water usage as desired.

Your toilet gets a lot of use, so normal wear-and-tear results in a lot of maintenance. One of the biggest bathroom issues is a toilet that keeps running after you flush it or runs by itself without being flushed. If left untreated, this problem can run up your water bill, so you may want to fix this problem as soon as possible. A new toilet nay be required, but test it first. There may be a simpler fix.

These problems are typically rooted in the fill tank. The first issue could be the water level. If the water level is above the overflow pipe, then the fill valve or ballcock isn’t working properly or is set to the wrong height. Make sure that the water level is adjusted to the manufacturer’s instructions. It’s usually stamped inside the tank. If the internal diaphragm seal is worn, replace it. Some fill valves cannot be required and the entire fill valve must be replaced.

Be sure to check the flapper. If the flapper is leaking, it will keep triggering the fill valve to refill the tank. To see if the flapper is leaking, here is a simple test:

  • Put a few drops of food coloring in the tank.
  • Let it sit for 25 minutes.
  • If the color leaks into the toilet bowl, then there’s a leak.
  • Before you replace it, first check the flapper to see if sediment or debris has built up around it. If not, replace it. This is typically a lot cheaper and easier to replace than the fill valve.

“Water conservation tips – How to conserve water at home”

“10 Tips for Conserving Water”