Express-News Weekly Column Saturday, November 25, 2000 Submitted by Calvin Finch, Ph.D.,
Director of Conservation, SAWS, and Horticulturist

CONSERVE WATER AND HELP PAY FOR CHRISTMAS PRESENTS

Are you looking for a way to help pay for your holiday presents? Conserve water this winter and your sewer bill will be reduced for a whole year.

Annual sewer bills are based on the average monthly water consumption between mid November and mid March.

Winter averaging takes place during the coldest months of the year, since most water consumption goes toward use in the home and is returned to the sewer system. Outdoor water use, like watering lawns or washing cars, is typically lower over the winter months. Therefore, a more accurate reading of a customer's demand on the sewer system can be taken in the winter. All indoor water goes into the sewer and must be treated, so it is logical to determine sewer rates by this method.

To get the lowest sewer rate, therefore, it is important not to use extra water in the winter. Limit irrigation to only what is absolutely necessary. St. Augustine grass only requires one-half inch every three weeks in the winter if you do not get rain during the period.

Accomplish further savings by examining your indoor water use. SAWS will help you do this by offering a free audit to identify in-house leaks and offer other advice on how to reduce unnecessary water use. Call 704-7354 to schedule the free home audit. On the average, these audits take thirty minutes if you do not have an irrigation system. If you have an irrigation system, it'll take about one hour. These audits are able to help the typical homeowner save enough money on water and sewer bills to buy a good portion of the family's Christmas presents.

If you are not interested in the audit, here are a few things to check for yourself:

· Check your faucets and toilets for leaks and have them repaired. · Add a new washer to stop drips.
· Install low flow plumbing fixtures such as aerators on your faucets and showerheads. You can pick up free aerators, showerheads, a leak detection kit, and conservation information at any SAWS Customer Service Center.

The centers are located at:
· Main Office, 1001 E. Market St.
· West Side Service Center, Las Palmas, 803 Castroville Rd., Suite 406
· East Side Service Center, 3930 E. Houston St.
· Practice water-saving habits as not running the water in the bathroom sink while shaving or brushing your teeth.
· Consider replacing old toilets with a low-flow one or replacing your washing machine with a high efficiency model. SAWS offers rebate programs for both. Learn more by calling 704-SAVE or by visiting the SAWS website at www.saws.org.