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Water Conservation Required Measures |
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| 1. |
Understand your water bill and review it monthly for indications of leaks, spikes, or other problems. |
| 2. |
Check the property for leaks every 6 months. Leaks in toilet tanks can be detected with leak detecting tablets or by using drops of food coloring. |
| 3. |
Install low flow aerators or flow reducing valves with flow rates not to exceed .5 gpm for hand washing sinks, 1.5 gpm for kitchen and lavatory sink faucets, and 1.5 gpm high efficiency showerheads. All infrared faucets must be fitted with aerators not to exceed .5 gpm. |
| 4. |
Install toilets with maximum flush volume of 1.6 gpf (gallons per flush) or less. |
| 5. |
Replace all pre-1992 urinals that flush more than 1.0 gpf with high-efficiency models that flush .5 gallons or less. |
| 6. |
Post signs in restrooms and kitchen to encourage water conservation and to report leaks. |
| 7. |
Institute and/or maintain a “No Running Water” policy. Train staff never to leave water running while cleaning. |
| 8. |
Adjust sprinklers for proper coverage-optimize spacing, avoid runoff onto paved surfaces. |
| 9. |
Adjust sprinkler times and/or duration according to seasons, water during non-daylight hours (generally before 7 AM or after 9 PM, and install rain shut-off devices or moisture sensors that turn off (or override) the irrigation systems during rain. |
| 10. |
Test irrigation sprinklers monthly to ensure proper operation and coverage and repair all broken or defective sprinkler heads/nozzles, lines and valves. |
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Water Conservation Optional Measures (complete 2 of the following) |
| 11. |
Plant (or renovate using) native species. The Iowa DNR provides a list of plants native to Iowa. |
| 12. |
Change window washing cleaning schedule from “periodic” to “as required”. |
| 13. |
Indoors, use dry floor cleaning methods followed by damp mopping rather than spraying or hosing with water. |
| 14. |
Outdoors, clean surfaces using dry sweeping methods and pressure wash surfaces with a 1.6 gpm or less high velocity spray nozzle. Use of a hose to spray down surfaces is discouraged (never sweep or spray debris into storm drain). |
| 15. |
Use rain barrels to collect rain water for landscaping. |
| 16. |
Apply at least 2 inches of mulch in non-turf areas, preferably with recycled wood chips. |
| 17. |
Learn how to read your water meter and take daily meter readings that are to be logged into a spreadsheet for early detection of water consumption spikes that may indicate leaks or other high use problems. Download template. |
| 18. |
Install a rain garden to prevent erosion, water pollution, and flooding by providing a place for storm water to infiltrate. |
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Water Conservation - Business Specific Optional Measures |
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Restaurant |
| 19. |
Turn off the continuous flow used to wash the drain trays of the coffee/milk/soda beverage island. Clean thoroughly as needed. |
