News and Information

2008 AWBD San Antonio AEI Reception 2008 Summer Picnic and Golf Outing Congratulations Liza Kirk - Young Engineer of the Year 2005 AEI Golf Tournament Light the Night Water Facts The average single-family home uses 80 gallons of water per person each day in the winter and 120 gallons in the summer. Showering, bathing and using the toilet account for about two-thirds of the average family's water usage. Did you know that about 75% of water used in your home is used in the bathroom? It takes 2 gallons to brush your teeth, 2 to 7 gallons to flush the toilet, andd 25 to 50 gallons to take a shower. A slow drip can waste as much as 170 gallons of water each day, or 5000 gallons per month. It takes 2,072 gallons of water to make four new tires. In a 100-year period, a water molecule spends 98 years in the ocean, 20 months as ice, 2 weeks in lakes and rivers and less than a week in the atmosphere. Frozen water is 9% lighter than water, which is why it floats. Each day the sun evaporates a trillion tons of water. A single tree gives off 70 gallons of water in evaporation. Water leaves the stomach five minutes after consumption. Americans use five times the amount of water that Europeans use.

Water Saving Tips

In the Bathroom...

• Install a low-flow showerhead that restricts the flow to under 3 gallons per minute.
• Install a new low-volume flush toilet that uses only 1.6 gallons per flush.
• Reduce the volume of water in the bath by one or two inches.
• When brushing teeth, turn off the water until ready to rinse.
• Test toilets for leaks. Add food coloring to the tank water. Watch to see if the color appears in the tank within a few minutes.
• Install faucet aerators to reduce water consumption.
  

In the Kitchen...

• Place a stopper in the sink to rinse pots, pans and cooking utensils, rather than running the faucet.
• Never run the dish washer without a full load.
• Use a small pan of water when cleaning vegetables instead of letting water run over them.
• Instead of letting hot water run over frozen foods, place them in a pan of hot water to thaw.

In the Laundry...

• Wash only full load when using automatic washing machine.
• Use the lowest water-level setting for partial loads.
• Use cold water as often as possible to save energy and to conserve the hot water.
• When purchasing new washing machines, consider a water saving model.

Out-Door Use...

• Water lawns early in the morning during summer months.
• Use a sprinkler that produces large drops rather than a fine mist.
• Use a drip irrigation system for bedded plants, trees or shrubs.
• Condition the soil with mulch or compost, so that water will soak in better.
• Fertilize lawns at least twice a year.
• Do not scalp lawns when mowing during hot weather. Taller grass holds moisture better.
• Use native plants or xeriscaping. Learn what plants do best in your area and in different parts of the lawn.
• Choose plants that have low water requirements.
• Consider using rocks, gravel or wood chips as decoration intead of as many plants.