June 2010 Newsletter
Lower Water Use. Lower Bills.
With summer upon us and the “water meter” dangerously close to drought, it’s more important than ever to think about water conservation. Here are the top five areas of water waste that the California Urban Water Conservation Council has identified; along with ways we can lower your buildings’ water consumption…and your costs.
1. Leaks
Leaky faucets, showerheads, toilets, etc, account for a huge amount of wasted water every year, and they’re an easy fix. We check for leaks on all routine inspections, and encourage residents to report any signs of leaky pipes or appliances in order to catch and repair them as quickly as possible.
2. Landscaping
Beautiful landscaping makes for a much better living environment, but depending on what’s been planted, it may consume a lot of water. Fortunately, there are several ways to significantly reduce landscaping water consumption. On our inspections we always keep an eye on irrigation systems, making sure plants are being watered at optimal times (like the evening or early morning), and not being over-watered.
We determine where it makes the most sense to utilize drip irrigation, and install 90-degree, 180-degree or 360 degree nozzles at strategic locations to ensure just enough coverage…without going overboard. We see it as just part of our job to check every sprinkler on a regular basis, maintaining where necessary so that every drop is going into the garden, rather than watering the sidewalk or going down the drain.
Then, just as a precaution, we always explore the feasibility of using soil moisture sensors to avoid watering the garden when Mother Nature has already done the job for us. We also encourage residents to report any signs of leaky sprinklers.
All in the name of better service for your property.
Along these lines, we have professional plantscapers on our team who really know their way around a plant nursery. We’re always ready to invite them into the discussion to recommend any of the numerous plantings that can look stunning in your community, simultaneously increasing your property value while thriving on relatively little water.
And did we mention the many ways we can improve landscaping water efficiency by incorporating elements that require significantly less water? Gravel filler, cobblestone paths, and other non-living features can be very attractive, and require no water at all, and we can put them all at your disposal quickly and painlessly.
3. Appliances
Clothes washers and dishwashers typically use a lot of water. That’s why we’re always on the lookout for low-flow units to improve efficiency. And yes, we look at faucets and showerheads the same way. We also use only appliances with good Energy Star ratings.
4. Toilets
Older toilets often use up to eight gallons per flush, while more modern toilets must use under 3.5 gallons. Fortunately, we’ve already done the research into which equipment actually does the job and which “water-efficient” toilets aren’t so efficient. So lean on our expertise and simplify both your life and your budgeting process.
5. Inefficient Building Design
Working on a new development makes it easy to build in water efficiency from day one. We’ve also found the long-term economics of water may make it the smart move to re-fit your older property with those downspouts hooked into an underground cistern. Which means it may be time to speak with our consulting team about maximizing every part of your investment.
The bottom line is that retail water agencies are watching for every wasted drop. Cooperative owners are being rewarded, while those dragging their feet are being penalized. And everything is on the table: on-site inspections of plumbing; assessments of irrigation systems; rebates; incentives for water efficient construction projects…the works.
Getting started is as easy as requesting a Free Green Analysis from Sunrise.
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