Water Conservation
Robert W. Clarke, Plumbing Inspector
Olean Municipal Building, Room 212
P.O. Box 668,101 E. State St.
Olean, New York 14760 (716) 376-5683, (716) 376-5707 (fax)
Click here for the pdf version of this letter.
Oleanders have access to an abundance of water much of
the time, so the importance of clean water is often overlooked. For most
of us, water use is a habit. We are accustomed to having water available
at the twist of a faucet. We usually do not think about how much water
we use.
Being aware of how much water you use is the first step in water
conservation. The average Olean citizen uses between 100 and 150 gallons
of water per day per person on the following activities:
-
Toilet
-
Bathing and Hygiene
-
Laundry
-
Kitchen
-
House Keeping
-
Outdoor activities
The amount of savings depends on current water
consumption habits, water, sewer, and energy costs, current flow rates
of fixtures, flush volumes of toilets and the amount of water leakage
through fittings and toilets. Water can be conserved by making
improvements in the home and/or modifying behavior.
Water saving devices are economical and permanent. Low flow showerheads
and faucet aerators save valuable water and energy, used to heat water,
without requiring changes in personal water use habits.
The following chart highlights how much water can be conserved by installing water-saving equipment in place of conventional plumbing fixtures, fittings and appliances.
|
Conventional Fixture/Appliance |
Water
Use (gallons) |
Water Saving Fixture/Appliance |
Water Use (gallons) |
Water
Savings (gallons) |
| Vintage Toilet * | 4-6 per flush |
Low Consumption Toilet *** |
1.6 per flush |
2.4 - 4.4 per flush |
| Conventional Toilet ** |
3.5 per flush |
Low Consumption Toilet *** |
1.6 per flush |
1.9 per flush |
| Conventional Showerhead* |
3 - 10 per min |
Low - Flow Showerhead |
2 - 2.5 per min |
0.5 - 8 per min |
| Faucet Aerator* | 3 - 6 per min |
Flow Regulating Aerator |
0.5 - 2.5 per min |
0.5 - 5.5 per min |
| Top-Loading Washer |
40 - 55 per load |
Front-Loading Washer | 22 - 25 per load |
15 - 33 per load |
* Manufactured before 1978
** Manufactured from 1978 to 1993
*** Manufactured since January 1, 1994
Since your sewer use fee is based on your water consumption, a sound water conservation policy saves you money two ways.