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From Volusia County Water Resources and Utilities

January/February 2004

As we enter a new year it is important we take a pro-active approach toward water conservation. Perhaps this can be a New Year’s resolution. In the near future, Volusia County likely will use more groundwater than Mother Nature can replenish, which will affect the availability and affordability of water in the future. Conservation is becoming imperative to sustain our water supply, our most precious natural resource. So please do your part in 2004 and CONSERVE!

Be The First on Your Block To Own the New Flapperless Toilet

Toilet leaks usually involve the flapper or rubber seal. With the wrong replacement flapper, the toilet may use more water than it was designed to use. An innovative solution to the flapper problem is the Niagara flapperless toilet. Like other ultra low flow toilets, these toilets use only 1.6 gallons per flush, as opposed to the 5 gallons per flush of toilets sold before 1985 and the 3.5 gallons per flush of toilets sold from 1985-1995. The unique thing about flapperless toilets is that they have no flapper. Instead, water fills a shallow tray and is released into the bowl when the tray tips. In a new program coordinated by the Water Authority of Volusia in conjunction with Volusia County Utilities, flapperless toilets are available for $25 to customers with toilets 10 years or older, while supplies last. Please call 386-943-7027 #2611 to reserve your toilet. Install it yourself or you can use your favorite plumber. You also may ask for a list of plumbers when you pick up your toilet.

Volusia County Water Resources and Utilities staff

Meet the family! They are the treatment plant operators, engineers, clerical, operations and billing staff, responsible for the daily operation of 14 water plants, 15 wastewater plants and 105 lift stations while still meeting the needs of over 14,000 customers.

 Water Wise Plant of the Month
 Blanketflower
Gaillardia aristata (Asteraceae)

Blanketflower is a drought-tolerant perennial found throughout much of the United States. Easily established from seed, it frequently forms dense colonies of brilliant red flowers with yellow rims. It thrives in full sun and in well-drained areas. Occasional watering will extend the blooming period. Allow the seed heads to dry prior to trimming. This will aid in reseeding for the following year.

Height: 18 - 24 inches.
Germination: 15-45 days.
Blooming period: May-September. Excellent cut
flower with a vase life of 6 - 10 days.

Be a leak detective in your house
Do you have a leaky toilet?

Question: Is your toilet wasting water?

Materials:

  • A grown-up helper
  • Food coloring
  • A toilet

Procedure:

  • Have a grown-up help you take the lid off the toilet tank.
  • Put about 10 drops of red food coloring into the tank.
  • Wait 15 minutes.
  • Check the toilet bowl for red coloring.
    *Make sure no one uses the toilet while you are doing this experiment

Conclusion:

  • If the water in the toilet bowl is red how did it get red?
  • That's right you have a leak. Tell your grown-up helper that you have a leak.

Note: If your toilet is broken and runs all the time it can waste as much as 50 gallons of water a day without even flushing!

You Might Ask

Q. I leave the water running while I brush my teeth. Does this waste much water?

A. You bet! Leaving the water running is a bad habit; about 4-6 gallons of water go down the drain needlessly every time you brush. Turning off the water when you are not using it will prevent waste and save you money. Another way many people unthinkingly waste water is while they are waiting for the water to get hot in the shower, tub or sink. Catching this water to use for plant watering is a good conservation tip.

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Volusia County, Florida.