How to Conserve

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Water Saving Tips for Rental Property Owners and Managers
The main source of Bremerton’s water, the Union River Reservoir, is replenished entirely by rain. The average person uses about 100 gallons each day so this means that as a property owner or manager, you are in a unique position to assist the City and save money, too. Rental properties account for approximately 60% of all housing units in the City.

Did you know that the more water you save indoors also means savings on sewer costs?
Sewer charges are based upon the average of the water meter readings in the winter months. The more water conserved indoors the lower the sewer and water rates.

Replace high flow-fixtures with water efficient fixtures
This is the most reliable method to reduce water use. In most cases, the tenant will not notice the change in water flow. All fixtures, showerheads, faucet aerators, and toilets produced since 1994 are low-flow due to the implementation of the Water Use Efficiency Standards.

Determine if your current fixtures are water-efficient. Take an inventory of the existing fixtures in your units. New fixtures should be labeled with either a permanent marking or a removable label which states the standard the fixture meets and/or information on the maximum amount of water consumed by the fixture. Vitreous china fixtures (toilets and urinals) will be labeled as meeting either ANSI/ASME A112.19.2M-1990&A112.19.6-1990 or CSA B45. Markings can be found inside the toilet tank on the upper portion and or at the back of the bowl area on the outside. All other fixtures and fittings will be labeled as meeting either ANSI/ASME A112.18.1M-1989 or CSA B125. On showerheads, markings are found at the junction of the head to the joint.

A word about water efficient toilets. All toilets sold must meet the standard to use 1.6 gallons of water per flush. Toilets may cost from less than $100 up to $300. To determine if it is worth the cost of replacing the toilets, first determine the flush volume of the existing toilets. For a 5 gallon flush toilet, savings of about $60 annually in water and sewer charges will be realized beginning the third year after replacement. For a 3.5 gallon toilet, savings of about $35 a year will be realized after the fourth year after replacement.

Water Use Action Water Savings Per Day (gal)
Fix Toilet Leaks Just a few drops of food coloring in the tank, wait 15 minutes. If color appears in the bowl, then you have a leak. Replacing the toilet flapper will do the trick. 5-10
Install a toilet displacement bottle or bag Use a 2-liter pop bottle, fill with water or a few rocks, or get a toilet bag from the water utility office. 2-7
Fix leaky faucets Replace worn washer. 0-10
Install 2.2 gpm showerhead Sold at hardware stores. Check your current showerhead for flow rate. 2-7
Install or clean faucet aerators Aerators sold at hardware stores. 1-2
Replace existing 3.5, 5 or 7 gallon per flush toilet with standard 1.6 gallon per flush model This is your biggest bang for the buck. 5-20
To order large quantities of showerheads, toilet bags, toilet flappers and faucet aerators at discount prices contact a distributor which can be found by searching for “low-flow plumbing fixtures” on the internet. Also, a group order of water-efficient toilets will result in a high quality toilet for almost half the retail price.

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