CONSERVATION

Shorelands Water Company wants to remind our customers of our mandatory Odd/Even Policy regarding outdoor water use and request that all customers comply with this policy. These restrictions are in place throughout the year. Outdoor usage for established lawns or garden irrigation and the washing of vehicles is only permitted on the odd/even basis system. Customers having an odd numbered service address can use outdoor water only on odd days of the month. Likewise, customers having an even numbered address can use outdoor water only on even days of the month. A total ban will exist on the 31st day of each month, when applicable. Lawn irrigation should be performed in the morning or early evening to minimize evaporation. Landscaping should be watered by hand only as needed.

Outdoor water use conservation will help ensure that adequate water supply for domestic and fire fighting needs will be available year round and especially during the normally high demand periods of the summertime season. If you should have any questions, please call our office during normal business hours at (732) 264-5510. Click here to view Hazlet Township's Ordinance regarding outdoor water usage.

CONSERVING WATER ON HOME

LAWNS & LANDSCAPES - RUTGERS COOK COLLEGE

To conserve water on your lawn and landscape as well as minimize water use, NJ homeowners have a variety of options to choose from. Please click here to view recommendations from Rutgers Cook College on conserving water on lawns and landscape.

LEAKS

Saving water not only saves money, but also helps to ensure that there will be enough to go around in the future.

DID YOU KNOW? We drink very little of our "drinking" water. Generally speaking, less than 1% of treated water produced by water utilities is actually consumed. WHERE DOES IT ALL GO? Let's find out....

Most of our treated water is sprinkled on lawns and gardens, flushed down toilets and drains, and used in showers, bathtubs, dishwashers and washing machines. And that doesn't account for the water claimed by undetected leaks!

HERE'S THE FACTS...A garden hose can pour out 600 gallons or more in only a few hours if left running. And a little leak can add up in a hurry. A leaky faucet or invisible toilet leak that drips only about 2 tablespoons a minute, adds up to about 15 gallons a day. That's 105 gallons a week and 5,460 gallons of water a year...WASTED!

Toilets are notorious for invisible leaks. You can test to see if there is a leak by placing 10 drops of food coloring in the tank. After approximately 15 minutes, look to see if there is any food coloring in the bowl. If there is, you have a leak. Leaks occur when the flushing mechanism is out of adjustment or when internal parts are worn. Most toilet leaks are at the overflow pipe or the plunger ball. Sometimes, the overflow valve is worn and will run like a leaky faucet. It's then time to replace the worn piece, either by an experienced "do-it-yourselfer" or a licensed plumber. Call our office to request a Leak Detection Kit which includes tablets to test your toilet for leaks. Click here for a PDF version of our Leak Detection Kit.

TIPS TO SAVE WATER

You can save water by only turning on the dishwasher or washing machine with full loads. Scrape food off of dishes and rinse before loading in the dishwasher. Spray stained clothing before washing so you can use a normal setting to get the clothing clean without using extra water.

More ways to save water indoors and outdoors .  .  .

• Fill a bottle of tap water and store in the refrigerator so you don't have to let the faucet run for a cool drink.

• Turn the faucet off when brushing your teeth or shaving. Use the water only when rinsing.

• Don't use the toilet to dispose of facial tissues or other items that could just as well go into the wastebasket; flushing uses 1 to 2 gallons with every flush!

• Use lawn sprinklers only when necessary and set a timer to help you remember when to turn them off. Water on an odd/even basis instead of every day.

• Try the concept of xeriscape (pronounced zer-i-scape), which means "landscaping for water conservation". The idea is to use plants that require less water and are appropriate for your climatic zone.