75 Church Street, Auburn, MA 01501 (508) 832-5336

Conservation

Water Conservation Tips

Environmental Protection Agency Offers Tips to Save Water & Money

WaterSense labeled products meet EPA’s specifications for water efficiency and performance, and are backed by independent, third-party certification.

Certifying organizations help maintain the WaterSense label’s integrity and credibility by verifying and testing products for conformance to WaterSense specifications, efficiency, performance, and label use, and also conduct periodic market surveillance.

Products bearing the WaterSense label:

  • Perform as well or better than their less efficient counterparts.
  • Are 20 percent more water efficient than average products in that category.
  • Realize water savings on a national level.
  • Provide measurable water savings results.
  • Achieve water efficiency through several technology options
  • The WaterSense Products webpage can be found here.

Massachusetts State Water Conservation Toolkit

The State has created a comprehensive website the outlines water conservation tips for residents, commercial & industrial businesses, agricultural businesses, and teachers.  The site includes a home water use calculator, water audit guidance for facility managers and best practice tips for agricultural operators.  The Massachusetts Water Conservation Toolkit can be found here.

Even & Odd Outdoor Watering Policy

Every year between May 1 and October 31, the District encourages residents to comply with the voluntary Even and Odd Outdoor Watering Policy. Properties with even numbered street addresses may water on even days of the month and properties with odd numbered street addresses may water on odd days of the month.

Water conservation during the summer months is important as water demand increases dramatically and public water suppliers are restricted on how much can be pumped from wells on a daily basis. Should the demand exceed the supply, the Board of Water Commissioners have the authority to declare a state of water emergency and take additional steps to limit outdoor water use to ensure that we have enough water for drinking and fire protection.

When people are reported in violation of the volunteer policy, they are sent a letter explaining the policy and requesting that they adhere to it. Because most people do adhere to the policy, the District has been able to meet the demand even during dry periods to date. However, if everyone ignored the policy, the results might be different. Established lawns only need 1-inch of water per week. Over watering actually creates a weak grass plant with shallow roots that cannot tolerate drought or pests.

The District’s primary conservation goal is to educate the public about how valuable water is as a natural resource and to instill a sense of responsibility to have people think about how much water they use. The water conservation policy does help to bring water use to the public’s attention and make people think about water use when they turn on the tap. DEP recommends that all towns have a water conservation policy and that towns work to keep their per capita use per day below 65 gallons per person per day.

Water Conservation Tips

A copy of our residential water conservation flier can be found here.

Inside Your Home:

  • Check for leaks from all pipes, sinks, toilets, etc.
  • Turn off the faucet while brushing teeth.
  • Take shorter showers or shallow baths.
  • Only run the dishwasher and/or washing machine when they are full.
  • If you wash dishes by hand, don’t leave the water running.
  • Keep a pitcher of water in the refrigerator. Then you won’t have to run the faucet to cool it.
  • Purchase WaterSense Certified appliances and other products (see information provided below)

Outside Your Home:

  • Check outside hoses, faucets, and automatic sprinklers for leaks.
  • Water lawns only when needed (only need about an inch of water a week!)
  • Water lawns early or late in the day.
  • Minimize the size of your lawns.
  • Put a layer of mulch around trees and plants to slow evaporation of moisture.
  • Xeriscape – Create landscapes that incorporate plants that require little water/are drought tolerant.
  • Use a broom to sweep your driveway, garage, or sidewalk instead of using water.
  • Use a bucket of water to wash your car or bike and only rinse quickly with a hose.

Please remember to only water according to the Even and Odd Outdoor Watering Policy which is effect from May 1 through October 31 every year.