September/October 2001

How to know If you have a leak

The meter is located in the ground, usually at the front of the property, inside a rectangular box with a metal, plastic or concrete lid. Lift up the heavy lid. A lift-up cap may cover the dial. Clean the dial glass with water or window cleaner if it is difficult to read. Most meters in our area are of the type illustrated here. If you have the older type with multiple dials, call our operations office to request a replacement. First look for a small white triangle at the center of the meter. If this triangle is moving (or if there is no triangle but the sweep hand is moving) water is being used in the house. Turn off all water using applicances (all faucets, ice maker, dishwasher, washing machine, etc.) If the white triangle or sweep hand is moving you have a leak. Contact a local plumber to arrange for a repair.

Conservation Corner <> Water Conservation $aves Money!

When mowing, raise the blade on your lawn mower to at least three inches high or to its highest level. Closely cut grass makes the roots work harder, requiring more water.

Using a layer of mulch around plants reduces evaporation and promotes plant growth. Water retaining basins also allow water to be concentrated around the plants.

Buy a rain gauge to determine how much rain or irrigation your lawn has received.

Buy a rain sensor devise for your automated sprinkler system. Free rain sensors are also available through the Volusia Water Alliance, predicated on attending an hour long seminar. Contact Deborah Green at the Volusia Water Alliance, (386) 304-5540 for an upcoming seminar.

Stormwater Project in the making..

Storm Drain Labeling
The Stormwater Utility, in partnership with Environmental Management is planning a county wide storm drain labeling program. This involves the placement of colorful, attention getting labels that serve to remind the community than many storm drains flow to lakes, rivers, creeks, and estuaries. Stormwater contains a variety of pollutants and can degrade drinking water, recreational uses and wildlife.

It is important that we all do our part to reduce and prevent the discharge of contaminants. Examples include properly disposing of animal wastes, repair of leaking vehicles, annual inspection of septic systems and sparing use of fertilizers and pesticides.

Volunteers will be installing the storm drainslabels and leaving informational door hangers at each selected neighborhood.

Kids Korner

How much water does it take to grow a hamburger?
The fact is that we need water to grow or produce pretty much everything we eat. The water is either supplied by nature as precipitation (rain) and/or added by man during the growing or production process. You can’t tell by the size or texture of a food how much water was actually used to produce the food item. And you may ask, what about the helping of french fries that goes along with it? Well, you will be surprised to know that it takes 1,300 gallons of water to grow that juicy hamburger but only 6 gallons for that order of french fries.

If you have a computer at home, or if you use the computer at your local library, visit the following web site for some more interesting trivia. http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/sc1.html

 

Comments or questions?
E-mail the

Copyright © 2001 Volusia County, Florida.