Water Conservation Guide

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A PUBLIC SERVICE OF
UNITED WATER TOMS RIVER
GROW A GORGEOUS
GARDEN...WITH
LESS WATER! PAGE 4
WATER
FOR DRINKING.
FOR LIVING.
FOREVER.
YOUR GUIDE TO CONSERVATION
HOW MUCH WATER
DOES MY LAWN
REALLY NEED? PAGE 6
SPECIAL SAVINGS
ON CONSERVATION
KITS. PAGE 8
United Water Toms River
MANAGEMENT
Nadine Leslie
VP & GENERAL MANAGER
15 ADAFRE AVENUE
TOMS RIVER, NJ 08753
877-565-1456
Dear Customer:
Whether you’re a gardener, a gourmet cook or a do-it-yourselfer,
you can save water, money and energy. In the pages that follow,
there’s something for everyone who wants to conserve water
Curt Nemeth
MANAGER,
OPERATIONS
and protect our natural resources.
At United Water we believe that making the planet sustainable is the best job
Robert Woodcock
on Earth. We make it a priority to safeguard our water supply so we can provide
OPERATIONS ENGINEER
you with clean water every time you turn on the tap.
Joseph Meyer
As United Water employees, we’re proud to be part of SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENT,
SUPERINTENDENT,
SYSTEM MAINTENANCE
the only worldwide company dedicated to the environment. In this role we have
Juan Donoso
SUPERINTENDENT,
PRODUCTION
Jane Kunka
MANAGER,
PUBLIC AFFAIRS
a special commitment to deliver the essentials of life and to protect our water
supplies for generations to come.
As a customer, you can help by using water wisely and sharing these suggestions
with others. Please read this guide and select the conservation methods that work
best for you. Your efforts will make an important difference in protecting our planet.
Sincerely,
Nadine Leslie
Vice President & General Manager
Look for the WaterSense label to choose quality, water-efficient products.
The label means the product meets the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s
specifications for performance. United Water is a partner in the EPA WaterSense program
that makes it easy for Americans to save water and protect the environment.
For more information please visit the U.S. EPA website at epa.gov/watersense.
2
HOME
GROWN
GREEN
The average American uses about 100 gallons of water every day.
By installing more efficient water fixtures and repairing leaks,
families can reduce indoor water use by about 35 percent.
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CHILL OUT!
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Keep a pitcher of tap water
GET FLUSH
WITH SAVINGS
in the refrigerator instead
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of running the faucet
for cold water.
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Check for toilet leaks by
adding food coloring to the
CLEAN UP
YOUR COSTS
Install a WaterSense
tank. If the toilet is leaking,
labeled toilet. It will use
color will appear in the
up to 70 gallons of water,
20 percent less water
bowl within 15 minutes.
while taking a 5-minute
while offering equal or
superior performance.
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shower uses only 10
Install a WaterSense
to 25 gallons. Low flow
labeled aerator or faucet.
showerheads help
It will increase the
save even more.
faucet’s efficiency by
30 percent without
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sacrificing performance.
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Turn off the tap while you
brush your teeth to save
8 gallons per day.
Repair dripping faucets
and showerheads. One
A full bathtub can require
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Replace your old
drip per second can
washing machine
waste more than 3,000
with a high-efficiency,
gallons per year.
ENERGY STAR® labeled
model. It will use up
to 50 percent less water
and electricity.
GO GREEN
INSIDE
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Wash only full loads
of dishes and clothes
or lower the water
settings for smaller loads.
Source: epa.gov/watersense
3
GORGEOUS
GARDEN…
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Our yards are great places to relax and unwind. If you have a green thumb,
try planting a “xeriscape” or “conservation” garden. By following low-water landscaping
techniques, you can create a beautiful garden with low water and maintenance
needs. Derived from the Greek word “xeros,” meaning dry, xeriscapes use native
plants that are drought tolerant and gardening techniques that minimize water use.
PLANNING
& DESIGN
SOIL
IMPROVEMENTS
PLANT
SELECTION
EFFICIENT
IRRIGATION
Take time to plan your
Good soil conditions help
A wide variety of low water
If additional water is needed,
garden. Consider soil and
reduce water needs. Before
use trees, shrubs, flowers
install drip or trickle irrigation
light conditions, drainage,
you plant your garden be
and ground covers can
systems. These are designed
maintenance level desired,
sure to mix compost or peat
be used to grow a colorful
to use water efficiently and
family interests and your
moss into the soil. This organic
conservation garden.
are available from local
budget. Limit the use of
matter will help the soil retain
Many require watering only
garden centers.
plants with high water needs.
water. If your yard is sloped,
in the first or second year
Group plants with similar
you can use terraces and
after planting.
water needs and place
retaining walls to reduce
plants that require the least
water run-off.
water the furthest from
your home.
GROW GREEN
OUTSIDE
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SAMPLE PLANTS FOR NEW JERSEY
GROUND
COVERS
SHRUBS
& TREES
PERENNIALS
Candytuft
Adam’s Needle
Black-eyed Susan
Goldmoss Sedum
Blue Carpet Juniper
Coral Bells
Lamb’s Ear
Blue Maid Holly
Michaelmas Daisy
Periwinkle
Bluebeard
Montauk Daisy
Silver Mound Artemisia
Golden Dust Plant
Purple Coneflower
Stonecrop
Golden Sword Yucca
Tickseed
PRACTICAL
LAWNS
Hollywood Juniper
Woody Yarrow
Korean Spice Viburnum
Yarrow
Limit the amount of area
Winter King Hawthorn
Autumn Joy Sedum
Northern Bayberry
you devote to a lawn and
select grass varieties like
fine fescues that require
less water and maintenance.
Plant groundcovers in areas
that are difficult to mow.
To reduce water usage
even further, read about
ET lawn watering on
next page.
EFFECTIVE USE
OF MULCH
MAINTENANCE
IS ESSENTIAL
Mulch helps keep the soil
Properly timed pruning,
moist, smothers weeds
fertilization, pest control
and prevents erosion. Use
and weeding will preserve
mulches such as shredded
your landscape’s beauty.
bark, shredded leaves, pine
Please be sure to use
needles or gravel in a layer
pesticides and fertilizers
two inches deep.
according to directions.
WATER WISELY
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Water your lawn
or garden during
the cool morning
hours to reduce
evaporation. Don’t
water on windy days.
Look for sprinklers
that produce droplets,
not mist. You can
also use soaker hoses
or trickle irrigation.
Make sure there are
no leaks in your hose
or sprinklers.
I
Set sprinklers to
water lawns and
gardens only, not
the pavement.
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Be sure your hose
has a shut-off nozzle.
A hose without a
nozzle can spout
10 gallons or more
a minute.
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Don’t over fertilize
because that
increases the
need for water.
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Raise your lawn
mower blade to at
least 3 inches. Taller
grass holds soil moisture better than a
closely cropped lawn.
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When washing the
car, apply soap and
water from a bucket,
then use a hose with
a shut-off nozzle for
a quick final rinse.
I
If you have a pool,
use a cover to
slow evaporation.
It will keep your
pool cleaner and
reduce the need
to add chemicals.
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Use a broom or leaf
blower, not a hose,
to clean your sidewalk
or driveway.
5
GREAT
GREEN
LAWN
We all love a green lawn. But did you know that your lawn may account
for nearly 50 percent of your summer water usage? Now you can keep it green
while saving water and money. Our ET program – short for EvapoTranspiration –
takes the guess work out of lawn watering.
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We partner with experts
through evaporation and
needs based on the day’s
your lawn can stay green
from the South Jersey
moisture loss from plants
weather conditions. All you
and healthy. And, you can
Resource Conservation and
through transpiration. Using
have to do is check the
reduce your summer water
Development Council who
this information, they calculate daily ET number to find
usage by up to 25 percent
help determine when your
a daily “ET” number. That’s
out exactly how much
and lower your water bill by
lawn needs watering. They
the optimal amount of water
water that your lawn needs.
up to $200.
measure water loss from soil
the average lawn truly
By following the ET program,
FIND TODAY’S ET NUMBER
Once you have the ET number, use the chart below
to determine how long to water your lawn. The ET
number indicates the number of inches of water your
lawn needs. The average sprinkler delivers about
one inch of water per hour. With ET you typically
need to water your lawn every four days. The best
time to water is before 9 a.m. or after 5 p.m.
BY PHONE
ET Hotline
732-349-0227
ext. 3034 after 8 a.m.
ON THE WEB
0.25”
15
0.50”
30
0.75”
45
1.00”
60
1.25”
75
ON THE RADIO
1.50”
90
WOBM-AM
M – Th, 6 – 7 a.m.
1.75”
105
2.00”
120
WOBMAM.com
6
ET NUMBER
sjrcd.org/public/
tomsriver.html
F WATE
RIN
G
0
SO
UTE
IN
M
0.00”
unitedwater.com
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
L.J.H. LANDSCAPING/
LAWNCARE
Toms River, NJ
732-237-0860
RUTGERS COOPERATIVE
EXTENSION
njaes.rutgers.edu
UNITED WATER
unitedwater.com
VISIT OUR
DEMONSTRATION GARDEN
15 Adafre Avenue
Toms River, NJ
CUSTOMER
SERVICE CENTER
HERE’S HOW eBILLING
HELPS THE ENVIRONMENT
69 Devoe Place
Hackensack, NJ 07601
We send over 4.6 million paper bills
to our customers nationwide every year.
As a result, these paper bills have a
dramatic impact on the environment:
OFFICE HOURS:
Monday – Friday,
8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
United Water’s eBilling program is an easy
and secure way to pay your water bill
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119.5 tons of paper are used
while helping the environment. By opting
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239 tons of trees are destroyed
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1.9 million gallons of water are used
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604,431 pounds of greenhouse
to have your water bill sent directly into
your email inbox, you can help us protect
and conserve our natural resources.
gases are emitted
To enroll in eBilling and protect the environment,
call us at 877-565-1456 or visit unitedwater.com.
PHONE: 877-565-1456
FAX: 201-487-9431
EMERGENCIES: 732-349-0227
E-MAIL: customer.service
@unitedwater.com
PAYMENT OPTIONS
UW CARES
There are several ways
to pay your bill:
UW Cares provides financial assistance to customers who
have trouble paying their water bills. Grants are reviewed and
processed through social services agencies in our community.
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By mail
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By phone
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IF YOU NEED HELP
IF YOU WANT TO HELP
If you need assistance paying
United Water provides the majority of funding to
your water bill, please
support these grants. Now you can contribute
CALL UNITED WATER:
too. Your gift can help provide essential water
877-565-1456
service to someone in your community. One
CALL UW CARES:
hundred percent of your contribution will go
888-942-8080
directly to help your neighbors in need! Because
VISIT:
UW Cares is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization,
uwcares.org.
your gift is tax deductible.
Electronically
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On line
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In person
Call us for more
information or visit us at
unitedwater.com.
7
So stop pouring water – and money – down the drain. Our conservation program
SAVING
can help reduce your water use by up to 25 percent. It will also help you save money
on your water and energy bills. The more you conserve, the more you save!
WATER
MAKES
United Water has partnered with Niagara Conservation to offer you high quality
conservation products at significant savings. We’re pleased to offer our customers
DOLLARS
special pricing on three water-saving kits. The price includes shipping, handling
AND
and taxes, where applicable.
R
E
SENSE ORD R
YOU ATION
V
SER OW!
N
CO IT N
K
TO PURCHASE A
WATER-SAVING
KIT
ON THE WEB
waterconservationproducts.com
STANDARD
WATER-SAVING KIT
OUTDOOR
LANDSCAPE KIT
DELUXE
WATER-SAVING KIT
(Retail value $30.00)
(Retail value $40.00)
(Retail value $65.00)
$500
$700
$1500
MAIL TO:
Name
Standard Kit: $5.00
Quantity: ______
Address
Outdoor Landscape Kit: $7.00
Quantity: ______
Communications Dept.
200 Old Hook Road
Complete and return
the coupon below.
Check the box or boxes below
and enter the number of kits
you would like to order.
Please make check payable to:
NIAGARA CONSERVATION
United Water
BY MAIL
Harrington Park, NJ 07640
8
City
State
Zip
Deluxe Kit: $15.00
Quantity: ______
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