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Friday, December 03, 2010 10:24 AM
By Nathan L. Riggs, BexarMet Water Efficiency Manager-December 2010
Winter in San Antonio is generally mild with the occasional cold snap, and it is the time of year for friends and family to visit. Winter is also the time to take advantage of a few simple ways to reduce your water and sewer bill. Let’s see how!
For most of San Antonio, November 15 to March 15 marks the “winter averaging” period. This period is used to calculate your sewer bill for the following year. Sewer usage is not metered and winter time is chosen because generally speaking, most water use occurs indoors and would exit the home via the sewer pipes. How can you reduce your water use during the winter and save on your sewer bill? Try these tips:
· Repair any leaks, including leaky toilets and faucets (indoor and outdoor).
· Consider replacing your old pre-1992 commode with a water efficient model. You may be eligible for a rebate or free toilets in the process!
· Replace old shower heads and faucet aerators with new, water efficient models.
· Reduce or eliminate outdoor irrigation where possible. Lawns in winter need water about once per month to keep the root system healthy. If you have an automatic sprinkler system, turn it off and only run it when needed.
In addition to these tips, also remember to “winterize” your home against freezing temperatures, especially any exposed outdoor pipes. Wrap exposed pipes with the proper foam insulation and secure with duct tape. Not only will a broken pipe cause potentially massive amounts of damage, but the leak will inflate your water bill and negatively impact your pocketbook. Since you’re already outside, be sure to cov
er outdoor faucets with an insulating faucet cover to protect it from the cold.
If your home has not experienced freezing temperatures yet, be sure to protect sensitive plants by covering them or by taking them indoors. Many popular plants in San Antonio are tropical in nature and not hardy enough to survive freezing temperatures; they will suffer mightily once the mercury drops below 32 degrees.
Winter is also
a good time to start planning for a new landscape in spring. Consider plants that are cold and drought tolerant for the San Antonio area. Many local nurseries stock the right kinds of plants that provide color all season long without needing massive amounts of water to survive. In addition, winter is the best time to plant trees and shrubs to prevent planting shock while allowing the root systems time to establish before leaf growth begins in spring.
Although your pets won’t inflate the water bill over the winter, always remember to provide them with a warm place to sleep on cold winter nights. If the weather is too cold, bring them inside, if possible.
Water is our most precious resource! Use it efficiently and wisely so that future generations may enjoy it like we do today.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, LOG ON TO www.bexarmet.org/customers/winteraveraging.aspx or www.bexarmet.org/conservation/waterfriendlyplants.aspx.
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