Recent News

Fix leaks, save water

Leaks waste up to 12% of all water used at home. Yikes! That’s almost as much water as most homes use doing laundry each year.
Check your home for the most common types of leaks. When we all work together to use water wisely it adds up to make a big difference.

1. Learn the signs of a running toilet. If you hear or see your toilet tank refilling in between flushes or if you need to jiggle the handle to stop the toilet water from running, you have a leak.
2. Check your toilet’s flapper. A worn-out flapper (the rubber valve at the bottom of the tank) can cause a silent leak. Open the tank and see or feel the flapper for signs of wear.
3. Take care of faucet and shower drips. Dripping faucets and showerheads can add up. Just one drop every 2 seconds wastes more than 1,000 gallons per year.
4. Check your water bill. Pick a month like January or February when you didn’t use water outdoors. If a family of four uses more than 9,000 gallons or 12 CCFs of water in a month, you may have a leak.
5. Find hidden leaks with your water meter. Read your water meter before and after a two-hour period when no one is using water. If the number changes, you may have a leak. To learn more about using your water meter to find leaks visit savingwater.org.

Finding and fixing leaks are impactful actions you can take to prevent water waste. In a single day, a running toilet can waste as much water as taking 15 showers. Find videos, tips, and tools online at SavingWater.org

---

---

Foundations for Water-Efficient Landscapes: Build Healthy Soil

Healthy soil holds enough water and nutrients for optimal plant health. This means you don’t have to run the sprinkler as often to keep your landscape looking vibrant and beautiful.
The easiest way to grow healthy soil is to incorporate compost, add mulch to the surface, and if you need to, use organic fertilizers that will release nutrients slowly as plants need them.

Add compost to your soil before planting The best and easiest way to improve the soil is to add compost to the entire area before planting. Compost supplies nutrients to plants, and it improves the soil structure; it will loosen clay soils and help sandy soils hold more water.

• Mix 2 – 3 inches (5 – 8 cm) of compost into garden beds, and 1 – 2 inches (3 – 5 cm) of compost to lawn areas before planting. Trees and shrubs prefer native soils so compost is unnecessary.
• Do not try to fix poor soil conditions by bringing in new topsoil. This can often make poor soil conditions even worse. Instead, add compost which can help a broad range of soil problems.

Mulch existing plantings

Mulch is a material that is placed on top of the soil surface to regulate soil temperatures, conserve water, limit weed growth, and prevent soil erosion.

• Spread mulch over compost and bare soil.
• Keep mulch away from woody stems and tree trunks.
• Reapply mulch annually, or as needed to keep soils covered.

Use organic fertilizers

Flowers, vegetables, and lawns sometimes need extra nutrients. Look for the words “organic” or “slow-release” on the fertilizer label. These products are released slowly by soil organisms. They supply nutrients to the plants throughout the growing season, and they are less likely to wash off into streams and lakes.

Rather than fertilizing on a schedule, observe plants to look for signs of deficiency and/or get your soil tested. Contact the King Conservation District or the Garden Hotline to learn more about soil testing. Testing is easier and less expensive than most people think.

Learn more about efficiently watering your garden and access other tips, tools, and rebates to help people preserve our region’s water for future generations at savingwater.org.

---

Dial 8-1-1

Know what’s below
Call before you dig

One free, easy call gets your utility lines marked AND helps protect you from injury and expense.

NOTE: Water District does not install water lines on private property; we will locate mains and meters only.