Save Water, Save Money

(NAPSI)-Here are a few facts and figures about water you may care to drink in:

• Total consumer water demand is 34 billion gallons per day.

• The average U.S. household uses 172 gallons a day, 63,000 gallons a year.

• Americans drink a billion glasses of tap water a day.

• Every year, a quarter of this country's renewable water supply is withdrawn from circulation.

• Conservation efforts can save the U.S. over 5.4 billion gallons a day.

• The average U.S. household can conserve about 23 gallons a day, or 8,000 gallons a year.

• Conserving that much water will save four billion dollars a year in water rates.

How to Save

Here are a few hints to help you save water and money around your house:

1. Check for leaks around the house and fix dripping faucets.

2. Install water-efficient plumbing fixtures (that is, showerheads, toilets and faucets).

3. Run dishwashers and clothes washers only when they are full.

4. Don't wash dishes or vegetables under a running faucet, nor in a full sink. Instead, pool two to three inches of water in the sink and use that.

5. When washing your car, use a bucket and sponge to loosen dirt initially, running the hose only for the final rinse. Consider going to a commercial car wash that uses recycled water.

These facts come from the experts at the American Water Works Association (AWWA). This 56,000-member organization works to assure a safe, sufficient supply of drinking water for the people of the United States, Canada and Mexico. The group leads efforts to advance the science, technology, consumer awareness, management, conservation and government policies related to drinking water.

You can call the AWWA at 1-800-936-7337 or see the Web site at www.awwa.org.

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