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Indoor and Pool Water Use

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5 tips for Home Water Efficiency

1) Find out your household's expected water use.

2) Monitor for leaks with a discounted Flume device.

3) See the latest most efficient dishwashers.

4) The best way to water in Arizona.

There are 100+ ways to save water. Here are some common ways to improve indoor water efficiency for your home or business.

  • Smart 7 Water Saving IdeasRegularly Maintain Water Treatment Equipment
    • Water Softeners and Reverse Osmosis systems are not required, but if present, be sure they are scheduled for regular maintenance.
  • Toilets
    • Tank toilets are susceptible to leaks due to worn-out parts. Check for leaks regularly and replace worn parts as needed.
    • Upgrade your tank toilet to a 1.28 gal/flush or lower.
    • Flushometer style toilets, usually found in businesses, may have diaphragms that wear out and cause the toilets to flush at higher gal/flush than it should.
  • Clothes Washers & Dishwashers
    • Wash full loads whenever possible.
    • Upgrade your washer to a high efficiency model to save 1,000's of gallons per year.
  • Showerheads
    • High quality models are available at 1.5 gal/minute and lower.
  • Monitor your water use
  • How much water should I use indoors?
    • The average indoor only use is about 1,300 gallons per month per person.
    • Check out the AMWUA Water Use Calculator for indoor and outdoor water use estimates.

 How can I keep my pool water clean?

  • Skim and vacuum your pool regularly to remove large solids.
  • Clean filters, but only as needed. You may flush them manually with a hose, replace cartridges, or use a backwash flow. Direct water from backwashing (reversing water flow through filters to flush them clean) to the sewer clean-outs in your yard or use it on landscaping in your own yard. For more information on how to backwash, read Drain and Backwash Pools Legally [PDF].

Remember:

Keep pool water on your property or release it through a sewer clean-out. Allowing water to run to other people's property, public rights-of-way, or open space is illegal. Federal law and three local ordinances may be violated. This may lead to a citation or a misdemeanor charge.

Monitor the water while it drains. Allowing water to run unattended is water waste, and violates city ordinances.

How can I legally drain my pool for repairs?

Complete a Pool Drain Authorization Application and follow directions in Drain and Backwash Pools Legally [PDF]

How can I minimize water loss from my pool?
  • Install a discounted Flume Smart Home Water Device to monitor for unusual use. 
  • The most common leak is an auto-fill valve malfunction. Your pool level should remain constant. If it appears even slightly higher than normal, take these steps:
    • Open the box containing your auto-fill valve and listen for running water.
    • If your pool level is high and the valve is still running, it is broken or needs to be adjusted.
    • Shut off the valve in the meantime. The shutoff is usually on the side or back of your house, often near a hose bib.
  • Plant a windscreen of trees and shrubs to reduce evaporation.
  • Shade your pool to reduce evaporation. Plant trees or build structures to keep hot afternoon sun off the surface.
  • Use a liquid pool cover or a pool blanket during seasons when you use the pool less often. Water evaporates on warm January and February afternoons in sunny Arizona. A pool blanket can also help to extend the pool season without using a heater.
  • Keep chemicals in balance to help minimize the need to backwash.
  • Use cartridge filters or hose down filters near landscaping instead of using automatic backwash. Every backwash cycle uses 250 - 1000 gallons of water.
  • Check your pool for cracks or issues in the recirculating system:
    • Set a bucket on the top step.
    • Fill bucket to same level as water stands outside the bucket.
    • Turn off your auto-fill valve (if present).
    • Place bucket on deck for three to four days without disturbing or covering it.
    • Put bucket back on step.
    • If pool water level is lower than the water level in the bucket, there may be a problem with a pool shell leak, or in your recirculation pipes.
  • Run circulating pumps at night when power demand is lowest. This will reduce power costs for those on Time of Day rate plans.

The heat from the Arizona sun will empty a pool through evaporation in a year's time. Nevertheless, if pool systems are working well, the pool will remain clean and full.