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Ci ty of Oshkosh www.ci .oshkosh.wi .us www.ci.oshkosh.wi.us/SustainableOshkosh 215 Chur ch Avenue, PO Box 1130 Oshkosh, WI 54903 For More Information EPA WaterSense www.epa.gov/watersense
NE Wisconsin Stormwater Management Consortium http://newwaterwisconsin.org UW Extension Water Resources Education http://clean-water.uwex.edu Tips For Conserving Water Water Conservation
Makes Sense WHY CONSERVE WATER Conserving water saves money You are billed for the amount of water you use. By implementing several simple water conservation steps, your household or
businesses can significantly reduce its annual water and sewer bill. Conserving water saves energy The city uses energy to pump and treat water. City residents use energy to heat water
for showers, baths, laundry, and other purposes. Reducing water use not only lowers energy costs, but also reduces negative impacts energy production has on our environment. Water is
a limited resource With so much water surrounding us, it is hard to believe that water is a limited resource. But many southern and western communities have had to place restrictions
on water use and are seeking ways to obtain water from water-rich regions. Areas of Wisconsin are also facing serious water shortages. Competition for our water resources will continue
to increase. DRAFT Ci ty of Oshkosh Sustainability Advisory Board What We Are Doing The City of Oshkosh believes that water conservation and protection are key components of sustainability.
The city has partnered with Focus on Energy to improve the efficiency of our water facilities. Low-flow faucet aerators and toilets are being installed at municipal sites. The city is
also taking steps to quickly identify and eliminate leaks commintywide.
Shop to conserve water Save up to 30% on your water bill with the installation of the following water-efficient appliances, items, and hardware: Low-Flow Faucet Aerator • Costs $1 -$5,
uses 50% less water Low-Flow Showerhead • Costs $4 -$35, uses 50-75% less water High-Efficiency Toilet • Costs $60-$200, uses 50-75% less water High-Efficiency Washing Machine • Costs
$500 -$1250, uses 40% less water Rain Barrel • Costs $20-$60, collects water for reuse Compost Bin or Container • Costs $0-$60, reduces lawn watering Figures based upon research data
available at www.h2ouse.org City water is expensive because it is treated for human consumption. Yet we drink only 2%. The rest goes down the drain or into our yards. Save water throughout
your home… In the bathroom • Keep shower time less than five minutes • Don’t use the toilet as a wastebasket • Turn off the water while you brush your teeth and shave In the kitchen
• Only run the dishwasher with a full load • Defrost food in the refrigerator, not under running water or in a water pan • Compost food scraps instead of using the garbage disposal In
the yard • Raise your mower blade to 2.5 inches and leave grass clippings on your lawn • Water your garden and lawn only when needed, and only during cooler parts of the day such as
early morning or evening • Collect and use rainwater • Use a broom instead of the hose In general • Check for drips and leaks and fix promptly. For help fixing leaks check www.epa.gov/watersense/pubs
/fixleak.htm • Only wash full loads of laundry, or lower the water settings • Water indoor plants with recycled water from collected rainwater or dehumidifier condensate Did you know…
• The average American home wastes 11,000 gallons of water EACH YEAR due to water leaks. • Letting your faucet run for five minutes uses about as much energy as letting a 60-watt light
bulb run for 14 hours. • If 1% of American homes installed water-efficient fixtures, the electricity saved per year would be equivalent to avoiding 80,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions.
emissions. This is equal to the annual removal of 15,000 cars from the road. • The average family of four uses over 400 gallons of water per day. By implementing simple conservation
practices, you can reduce water usage by 30-40% and save $250-$500 annually. • Over 50% of landscape water can be wasted due to evaporation, wind, and over-watering. • Communities with
water efficiency programs have reduced overall water use by up to 20%. Information from EPA WaterSense