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Know
where your main shutoff valve is located:
Make sure every family member knows it’s
location and how to shut it off in an emergency.
Your valve is located just before your water
meter. If you are not sure of it's location please
call the water department for help.
Check to make sure
that it works. If it does not or if it is
difficult to turn, please call the water
department to have it replaced.
Here
are pictures of what your main water valve and
meter could look like.
 
 Your
water meter is the best detective in the home. It
can tell whether you have a leak, how big the leak
is, and how much water various appliances use.
Your meter records use in cubic feet, like your
car records miles on the odometer. If you have one
of the new brass Neptune or Sensus meters, you can
easily check for a leak yourself. There is a small
red or black triangular dial on the meter head.
This is a low flow indicator. Check to make sure
that no water that you know of is running. Then
watch the dial. If it is moving then you know that
there is a leak. You may have to check it on
several occasions. Be aware that toilets, faucets,
and lawn sprinklers do not necessarily leak
constantly. A toilet leak may not occur until the
water drains to a certain height in the tank. It
then runs to fill it up again and shuts off until
it leaks down to that point again. If you have a
faucet with an old gasket, it can take a lot of
pressure to shut if off fully. With different
people using the faucet,
it may not always be shut off completely.
Sprinkler heads, sometimes remain partially open
leaking unseen water on to the lawn. When they are
again turned on fully, the valve may then close
properly.
Even though you may
not visibly see the leak or your meter moving,
that does not mean that you do not have a leak.
To check how much
your appliances use, take the start
reading on your meter. When it is done, take
the end reading and subtract it from the start
reading. *If there is a permanent "0"
stamped at the end, be sure to include this in
your reading. Then multiply by 7.48 to determine
the amount of gallons used.
Always
shut off your washing machine hose when done. Old
hoses can rupture causing major water damage. We
have seen the damage done first hand and
unfortunately it happens more often than you
think! When going away in the winter, make
sure the heat is not turned down too low to avoid
frozen and split pipes.
If
you live West of 495 and South of Spring St., make
sure you do not use bleach in your wash. The
bleach will react with the iron in the water,
creating a major iron stain.
If
you have a leaky faucet or toilet, fix the leak
immediately! If you are a tenant please notify
your landlord immediately of any leaks, so that
they may be fixed. Even though you may not be
paying for the water, it is important to save
every drop we can!
Did
you know that each lawn sprinkler head uses
between 3 and 5 gallons per minute? That can add
up very quickly on your bill. Read your water
meter before you turn on your system and then read
it when it has shut off. Subtract the two numbers
and multiply that by 7.48 to see how many gallons
of water they use.
Oscillating
above ground sprinklers, like the one pictured
below, also can use up to 5 gallons per minute.
If
you have a high water bill, please read the F.A.Q.'s
Click
here to find out water sprinkling tips
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