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1. What is Spotsylvania County's Water Conservation Initiative?

As Spotsylvania County's population grows and water demands rise, it is becoming increasingly important to manage not only the water supply and treatment, but also the demand on an ongoing basis.  One tool water utilities use to manage demand is to develop a comprehensive water conservation program.  Water conservation is broadly defined as the beneficial reduction in water use, waste and loss.  The ultimate goal of water conservation is not to prevent water use, but to maximize efficiency and the benefit of each gallon used.

The Spotsylvania County Utilities Water Conservation Initiative is a result of a study the County conducted to determine appropriate conservation programs based on Spotsylvania County's demand projections and customer characteristics.  

2. What is water conservation?

The U.S. Water Resources Council defines water conservation as activities designed to reduce the demand for water, improve efficiency in use, reduce losses and waste of water, and improve land management practices to conserve water.  In short, water conservation is the reduction of water usage or reducing its waste and loss.  

3. What is efficient water use?

Efficient water use is often considered the minimal amount of water that is technically and economically feasible to achieve an intended function.  Water efficiency accomplishes more with less by using the best available technology and using water in smarter and more innovative ways. 

4. What is water waste versus water loss?

Water waste and water loss mean two different things. 

• Water waste is water that meets an intended use, but may not be considered efficient.
• Water loss is water that does not make it to the point of intended use.

5. What are the benefits of water conservation?

Less than 3 percent of the water on Earth is fresh; much of that is unreachable in glaciers, icecaps, or deep in the earth.  The depletion of these dwindling water supplies degrades the natural environment and can necessitate costly water projects.  Water conservation practices, such as efficient appliances and fixtures, behavioral changes, and changes in irrigation practices, can reduce water consumption by as much as a third.¹   

Water Conservation and demand management continue to be important components of the management of our long term drinking water supply.  The benefits of lower demand are:

• Buffers against the unknown - With the effects of climate change, shorter, more intense rain events as well as longer, dry spells in the summer months are expected.  Having as much water storage in the reservoir as possible provides the assurance that not only will there be a sufficient quantity of drinking water for the year, but it also provides the flexibility to deal with changing weather and precipitation patterns.
• Water quality - Less annual fluctuation in the reservoir’s water levels contributes to a more biologically stable reservoir, through less opportunity for sediment re-suspension and nutrient loading, and longer water detention time within the reservoirs (which has a number of resulting benefits such as lower turbidity, low color, neutral pH, low bacteria, and low parasites).
• Capital project delay - Less water being used by the community can delay the need to build new expensive water infrastructure that would be necessary to provide increased capacity if demand continues to rise.
• Save energy - Water conservation helps reduce the amount of energy used to process and deliver water to homes.  For example, shorter showers will save water as well as the energy used to heat the water.
• Save time and money - Planting native species that are adapted to the longer, dryer summers in the region, require little to no watering once established.  Spend more time enjoying your garden, instead of maintaining it.

¹"Water Conservation,"  <https://www.greenbiz.com/research/report/2002/08/02/water-conservation>, accessed on October 16, 2019. 

6. How can I reduce my family's water use?

There are simple changes you can make to your daily routine that can add up to big savings.

• Increase your family’s awareness of water efficiency and conservation.
• Shorten your shower by 5 minutes and save an average of 12 gallons of water per day.
• Turn off the water when you brush your teeth or shave and save up to 2.5 gallons per minute.
• Wash only full loads of laundry and dishes instead of smaller partial loads and save between 15 and 50 gallons of water per load.
• Limit car washing and use an automatic shut-off nozzle and save an average of 70 gallons per wash.  
• As appliances and fixtures wear out, replace them with water-saving models.
• Repair dripping faucets, showers and continuously running or leaking toilets.
• Reduce the water used in toilet flushing by either adjusting the vacuum flush mechanism or installing toilet tank displacement devices (dams, bottles, or bags).

Learn more here:  Water Saving Tips

7. How can I reduce my business water use?

Every business is different and every solution is different.  Some suggested activities that can help most businesses reduce water use include:

• Increase employee awareness of water conservation and efficiency.
• Install high-efficiency urinals and toilets in restrooms, as well as, upgrading water-using fixtures such as cooling towers, pre-rinse spray nozzles, dishwashers, and washing machines to well-engineered products and fixtures that use the least amount of water to get the job done.  Look for products labeled Water Sense and Energy Star to ensure that they meet the criteria.
• Reduce toilet water by adjusting flush valves or installing dams and flapper mechanisms.
• Install faucet aerators and flow reducers where possible.
• Check the water supply system for leaks and make repairs as soon as possible.
• Turn off any unnecessary flows.
• Repair dripping faucets, showers, and continuously running or leaking toilets.
• Shut off water supply to equipment rooms not in use.
• Do not use running water to melt ice or frozen foods.
• Use water-conserving ice makers.
• Set irrigation controllers to only water as needed.  In the summer, follow the Voluntary Watering Schedule. 
• Do not water on windy days or right after it has rained.
• Make repairs to sprinkler heads and water lines as soon as you find damage or a leak.
• Do not hose down sidewalks, driveways, and parking lots.
• Wash autos, buses, and trucks less often.

8. What is the Voluntary Watering Schedule?

By following the voluntary lawn and landscaping watering schedule in the summer, you can help maintain adequate water pressure and volume for you and your neighbors while also being a friend to the environment.

ADDRESS	DAYS TO WATER
Odd Number Addresses*	Sunday, Tuesday, Friday
Even Number Addresses*	Monday, Thursday, Saturday
Businesses	Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday

* Customers may irrigate on Wednesday as an alternate day.

Please avoid watering between peak demand hours of 5:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m.

To learn more, check out this page:  Voluntary Watering Schedule