Water Conservation

By definition water conservation is the preservation and careful management of water resources. As the Village of Plover has grown in recent years, it has become more important that residents look at the way they use water on a daily basis. Conserving water in a household can be done in three basic ways, economize, repair leaks, install water saving devices. The kitchen, bathroom, laundry, and outdoors are important places residents can look at evaluating how they use water and how they can conserve.

Water is one of the most abundant resources we have, and without it there would be no life. Yet only 1% of the Earth's water is available for human consumption, and this water is not new. The water that we use everyday is the same water that has been here since the beginning of time.

As with so many things in our world, we rarely appreciate what is easy to obtain. When we turn on the faucets in our homes, we receive a plentiful supply of water, which has traveled through many miles of pipelines and has undergone a lengthy treatment process to assure its quality. We don't always consider the rising costs for water and sewer services.

Benefits of Water Conservation

One of the most obvious benefits to conserving water would be lowering your water bill. But by conserving water, you can also save money on other services. For example, if you use less hot water, your gas and electric bill will be less. And less water used means less water down your sewer drains, thereby reducing your sewer bill. This would not only be helpful to your pocketbook, but also to the environment by easing the burden on water storage, purification, distribution and treatment facilities.

Although we do not experience the same drought-like conditions that plague other regions of the world, nothing is forever. With the Central Wisconsin area growing, we must start protecting our resources today. If everyone in the United States could manage to use just one less gallon of water per day, some 85 billion gallons of water a year could be saved!

Useful Tips for Water Conservation

  • Test for leaking toilet by adding a few drops of food coloring to the tank. If any color appears in the bowl after 30 minutes, your toilet is leaking. Leaking toilets can waste thousands of gallons of water a day. Flush as soon as the test is done, since fool coloring may stain the tank.
  • Use water conserving plumbing fixtures and water-flow constrictors on sinks and showers. Typically, bathroom facilities constitute nearly 75% of the water used in homes.
  • Run your dishwasher and washing machine only when you have a full load. Be sure to properly set the water level for the size of load your are using. Washing clothes only when you have a full load, can save up to 600 gallons each month.
  • Time your shower to keep it under 5 minutes. You'll save up to 1000 gallons a month.
  • When you clean your fish tank, use the water you've drained on your plants. The water is rich in nitrogen and phosphorus, providing you with a free and effective fertilizer.
  • Take short showers instead of baths. A bath can use 30 to 50 gallons of water. A shower uses 5 gallons of water per minute, less if a flow restrictor is installed.
  • Insulate hot water pipes so you don't have to run as much water to get hot water to the faucet.
  • Store drinking water in the refrigerator instead of letting the tap run every time you want a glass of cool water. It takes longer to obtain cool water from your tap than it does to obtain hot water. Save time and money by storing drinking water in the refrigerator.
  • Make the most out of the water you use. Never put water down the drain when there may be another use for it such as watering a plant or garden or doing housework.
  • Water lawn and gardens during the coolest part of the day to minimize evaporation. Position sprinklers so that water lands on the lawn and shrubs, not on paved areas.
  • Choose plants that are native to the area in which we live or plants that are drought resistant for landscaping and gardening. Group plants together based on similar watering needs.
  • Use a bucket of water and a spray head on the hose to wash your car. A running hose can waste hundreds of gallons of water in the short time it takes to wash a vehicle.
  • Use garbage disposal sparingly. Compost instead and save gallons every time.
  • Check your water meter and bill to track your water usage.
  • Only water your lawn when needed. You can tell this by simply walking across your lawn. If you leave footprints, it's time to water.
  • Adjust your lawn mower to a higher setting. Longer grass shades root systems and holds soil moisture better than a closely clipped lawn.
  • Install a rain shut-off device on your automatic sprinklers to eliminate unnecessary watering.
  • While fertilizers promote plant growth, they also increase water consumption. Apply the minimum amount of fertilizer needed.
  • For hanging baskets, planters and pots, place ice cubes under the moss or dirt to give your plants a cool drink of water and help eliminate water overflow.

Water Rationing

The following water conservation stages shall be in effect at the following times and total water consumption per day shall be determined by totaling all the treated water pumped by the entire Village Water Utility. When either Stage 2, Stage 3 or Stage 4 water rationing is in effect, no person shall use any water in violation of any provision of this subsection.

Stage 1 Voluntary Water Conservation

Voluntary water conservation shall be in effect whenever the Water Utility Manager declares that the water supply or the capacity of the waterworks system to deliver water is approaching levels at which water rationing shall be required to preserve the ability of the village to deliver a necessary amount of water to each water user.

Procedure for Stage 1

  • The Water Utility Manager shall make public announcements in the news media that Stage 1 voluntary water conservation is in effect. The announcements shall include a description of the provisions in effect.
  • Persons will be urged to conserve water in every way possible in their homes and in their businesses.
  • Persons shall be urged to avoid sprinkling their lawns and avoid watering gardens, shrubs or trees with a hose unless the lawn, gardens, shrubs or plants need the water to avoid damage, and at any rate not more often than every second day for not more than 4 hours a day.

Stage 2 Water Rationing

Stage 2 water rationing shall be in effect whenever total consumption for the preceding day exceeds an alarm threshold determined by the village Board.

Requirements for Stage 2

  • The Water Utility Manager shall make public announcements through news media concerning Stage 2 water rationing whenever Stage 2 water rationing is in effect. The announcement shall include a description of the restrictions.
  • No person shall use water to sprinkle a lawn or use water through a hose to water any garden, tree or shrub, except between the hours of 8 pm and midnight or between the hours of 6 am and 10 am on any day on which sprinkling is permitted. Sprinkling shall be permitted on even-numbered calendar days at locations with even-numbered addresses and on odd-numbered days at locations with odd-numbered addresses. These restrictions shall apply to all residences and to all businesses and institutions having lawns, gardens, trees or shrubs and shall be followed at all parks and public buildings owned by the Village. These restrictions shall not apply to any person engaged in the business of growing or selling plants of any kind.
  • No water shall be used to wash automobiles, except at places of business where automobiles are washed on every business day either with attendants, with automatic equipment or by self-service.
  • No swimming pools shall be filled. Swimming pools that were filled before Stage 2 water conservation went into effect may have water added to make up losses through evaporation or splashing. Water lost through draining or through leaks in the pool may not be made up during Stage 2 water rationing.

Stage 3 Water Rationing

Stage 3 water rationing shall be in effect whenever the total water consumption of the preceding day exceeds a threshold established by the Village Board.

Requirements for Stage 3

  • The Water Utility Manager shall make a public announcements that Stage 3 water rationing is in effect. The announcement shall include a description of the restrictions.
  • No person shall use any water to sprinkle any lawn or use water through a hose to water any garden, tree or shrub, except between the hours of 8 pm and midnight or between the hours of 6 am and 10 am of any day on which sprinkling is permitted. Sprinkling will be permitted on Mondays at all locations having even-numbered addresses and on Thursdays at all locations having odd-numbered addresses. These restrictions shall apply to all residences and to all businesses and institutions having lawn, gardens, trees or shrubs, and shall be followed at all parks and public buildings owned by the Village. These restrictions shall not apply to any person, firm or corporation engaged in the business of growing or selling plants of any kind.
  • No water shall be used to wash automobiles, except at places of business where automobiles are washed on every business day either with attendants, with automatic equipment or by self-service.
  • No swimming pools shall be filled and no water shall be added to any swimming pool.

Stage 4 Water Rationing

Stage 4 water rationing shall be in effect whenever restrictions beyond Stage 3 water rationing are necessary so that no water customer inside the Village limits will be without water. The Water Utility Manager shall impose Stage 4 water rationing when, in his opinion, such restrictions are required under the terms of this paragraph, provided the Village Board will consider the action of the Water Utility Manager at the next meeting at which the matter may be considered, and the Village Board may continue the Stage 4 in effect, continue in effect with changes, or discontinue Stage 4 water rationing.

Restrictions for Stage 4

  • The Water Utility Manager shall make public announcements through the news media that Stage 4 water rationing is in effect. the announcement shall include a description of the provisions in effect.
  • No water shall be used for sprinkling lawns and no water shall be used from a hose to water any garden, shrubs or trees. These restrictions shall not apply to any person engaged in the business of growing or selling plants of any kind.
  • No water shall be used to wash automobiles, except at places of business where automobiles are washed on every business day either with attendants, with automatic equipment or by self-service.
  • No swimming pool shall be filled and no water shall be added to any swimming pool.
  • It is the policy of the village to keep Stage 4 in effect for no longer than absolutely necessary. The Water Utility Manager and the Village Board shall take steps to life the Stage 4 restrictions as soon as lifting the restrictions shall not result in any water user inside the Village being unable to get water.