AWWA And Water Community Highlight The Importance Of Conserving Water Supply During Drinking Water Week

Denver – As Drinking Water Week continues, the American Water Works Association and water professionals across North America are establishing the importance of conserving water resources.

Because many regions of North America are currently facing drought conditions, it’s imperative more than ever to be mindful of the value of water and avoid waste. One of the best ways to keep our water abundant is to conserve it, and AWWA encourages consumers to follow these conservation tips, which are also available on Drinktap.org:

• Don't over water your lawn. Only water every three to five days in the summer and 10 to 14 days in the winter.
• To prevent water loss from evaporation, don't water your lawn during the hottest part of the day or when it is windy.
• Only run the dishwasher and clothes washer when they are fully loaded.
• Defrost frozen food in the refrigerator or in the microwave instead of running water over it.
• When washing dishes by hand, use two basins – one for washing and one for rinsing rather than let the water run.
• Use a broom, rather than a hose, to clean sidewalks and driveways.
• If you have a swimming pool, get a cover. You'll cut the loss of water by evaporation by 90 percent.
• Repair dripping faucets and leaky toilets. Dripping faucets can waste about 2,000 gallons of water each year. Leaky toilets can waste as much as 200 gallons each day.

“Drought is an issue that many regions are currently facing. The conservation tips we have available can be used for any region regardless if they are facing drought or not. It’s important we all stay aware of the water we use so as to not waste it,” said AWWA Chief Executive Officer David LaFrance. “We can all do small but valuable things to conserve the world’s most important resource.”

AWWA’s Drip Calculator is also available to help consumers estimate water waste from a leaky or dripping faucet. This online tool can calculate waste for both a dripping faucet and a fast running faucet.

About Drinking Water Week
For more than 35 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 to recognize the vital role water plays in our daily lives. Additional information about Drinking Water Week, including free materials for download and celebration ideas, is available on the Drinking Water Week web page.