April is water conservation month

Historic City News has been informed that the St. Johns County Utility Department is celebrating Water Conservation Month with special water conservation tips and information on a Conservation Page of the their website.

Additionally, Utility Department staff will be visiting elementary schools throughout April to educate children about the importance of water conservation and provide conservation materials for the family.

The Board of County Commissioners will proclaim April as Water Conservation Month at the April 7 County Commission meeting, joining dozens of other Utilities around the state to promote water conservation efforts.

Water Conservation Facts and Tips

• Some older showerheads use more than 8 gallons per minute (gpm). New showerheads use 2.5 gpm or less. You could save water by replacing your showerhead with a newer, low-flow showerhead.
• A full bath tub typically holds 36 gallons. By filling the tub one-third full, you can save up to 24 gallons per bath.
• Garden bath tubs use approximately 30 gallons more per bath than a regular tub.
• Retrofitting your faucets with an aerator will help save water in your home. A faucet aerator is a small circular screen that is screwed into the faucet. They are inexpensive and easy to install.
• The best way to improve toilet efficiency is to replace an old toilet with a new toilet. Toilets made before 1993 use about 4 gallons per flush (gpf). New, high-efficiency toilets use 1.28 gpf or less.
• A family that replaces an old, inefficient dishwasher with a newer, more efficient model could save as much as 1,250 gallons of water per year. New efficient models also save on energy costs.
• A non-conserving clothes washing machine uses an average of 40 gallons of water per load. A water-conserving model uses an average of 18 gallons of water per load.
• Set clothes washers for the appropriate load size. For washing machines with variable settings for water volume, select the minimum amount required per load. If load size cannot be set, operate the washer with full loads. Check hoses regularly for leaks.
• You can save water in your swimming pool by installing a cover and ensuring you have no leaks. Placing a cover over your pool will help reduce the amount of water lost to evaporation.
• Turn off the water as you brush your teeth, wash your face or shave. Faucets left in the open, running position waste from several hundred to several thousand gallons of water per day.

For more information about Water Conservation contact the Utility Department at (904) 209-2700.