More simple tips for saving water

• Don’t run water continuously for food preparation and dish washing.

• Take showers rather than baths, and keep them short. Replace old shower heads with the new low-flow ones.

• Don’t run the water continuously while brushing your teeth or shaving.

• Fix leaky faucets and toilets – the smallest drip can waste 20 gallons per day.

• Use the dishwasher and clothes washer only with full loads. And when purchasing new ones, specify those that are specially designed to use less water.

• Don’t hose off driveways, walks and patios! Use a broom instead.

• Use a sponge and bucket of water to wash the car.

• Don’t run the tap to get cold water. Keep a bottle in the refrigerator instead.

Help protect Elk River's most valuable natural resource

Elk river is fortunate to have plenty of fresh, clean water. Our community uses nearly 2,340,000 gallons of this precious resource each day. it enhances our health, our lifestyles and our economic well being. On a hot summer day this quantity increases to over 7,100,000 gallons due to increased use for lawn sprinkling.

At Elk River municipal Utilities, it's our business to provide for your water needs. We take our responsibility seriously, but it's really a responsibility we all share. Although water is easily accessible - as easy as turning on a faucet - it is still a finite resource that shouldn't be wasted. You can help us take good care of Elk River's water supply by conscientiously managing your own water usage. In doing so, you'll contribute to a higher quality of life in Elk River - for your family and for future generations.

Saving water saves energy

Preserving long-term water quality is juse one reason to conserve. Saving energy is another. It takes a lot of power to pump water from the ground and transport it safely to your home. The water that flows freely through your pipes is actually a carefully processed product - and you pay for every drop, whether you use it wisely or not. Conserving water not only puts more money in your own pocketbook, it lowers demand throughout the community which keeps the cost of producing water more affordable for everyone.

Vital facts about a vital resource

Water is such a vital part of our daily lives it’s easy to take for granted how much we depend on it. Did you know:

• About 80% of the earth’s surface is covered by water, but only about 1% is suitable for drinking.

• A person needs about 2-1/2 quarts of water per day from food and liquid sources to maintain good health.

• A person can live without food more than a month, but can survive a week or less without water.

• A five minute shower draws between 13 and 50 gallons of water, depending on showerhead design.

• If you let the faucet run, you’ll use two gallons of water in the time it takes to brush your teeth.

• The average household consumes 107,000 gallons of water per year.

• The average person uses 75 gallons of water per day.

• Elk River uses about 2.3 million gallons of water per day, with a peak of 7.1 million gallons per day. This increase is caused by customers watering lawns on hot summer days