Overview

Water is a precious resource necessary for ensuring a growing, prosperous city. The City of Roswell prides itself on being a leader in local conservation initiates and as such, was recently named a WaterFirst Community by the Department of Community Affairs. The City is also an EPA WaterSense partner. These designations are commitments by the City to protect our valuable water resources. Our multi-faceted, ongoing water conservation plan is aimed at both educating the citizens of Roswell about the need for water efficiency now and in the future as well as reducing the City's overall water consumption through conservation programs and initiatives aimed at residential and business customers. For more information on water conservation, please contact Environmental Education at enviroeducation@roswellgov.com or 770-641-3742.

Additional Resources

• Outdoor Water Use/Restrictions
• Toilet Rebate Program
• Water Conservation
  • Water Conservation Tips
  • Helpful Links

January: Where does the City of Roswell's Water Come From?

Did you know the City of Roswell operates its own Water Treatment Plant? This facility serves approximately 18,500 customers through 89 miles of distribution waterline mains and is capable of producing 3.3 million gallons of water per day. The water treated is withdrawn from the Big Creek Watershed. A watershed is an area of land that drains into a particular stream, lake, or river. The Big Creek Watershed provides Roswell’s water and it is a part of the bigger Chattahoochee River Watershed. Runoff from the City drains into the Chattahoochee River, which ultimately drains into the Gulf of Mexico. To learn more about the Chattahoochee Watershed, visit the Chattahoochee Riverkeeper. 

The Water Treatment Plant ensures that tap water is safe to drink by following United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) regulations that limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided to the public. The City of Roswell provides a Consumer Confidence Report on Water Quality semi-annually that discloses the levels of detected contaminants present. The City of Roswell’s Water Utility Division is proud to serve the citizens of Roswell and provide the best possible drinking water quality.

To view the most current Consumer Confidence Report, please click here: www.roswellgov.com/CCR.

February: Conserving Water and Energy in the Bathroom

This February, you can show your home some love by upgrading your bathroom with fixtures from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s "WaterSense" program that are better for the environment and your wallet!

Bathrooms account for over half of the indoor daily water use in a home. Water is a natural resource and it is important to conserve it for future use. The EPA’s WaterSense products are certified to use 20% less water, while still performing as well or better than standard models. Whether you are doing a full bathroom remodel or simply replacing a toilet or showerhead, you can invest in WaterSense-certified products to save up to 10,000 gallons of water and at least $150 on your utility bill each year.

If you are replacing your toilet with a WaterSense product, the City of Roswell and Fulton County offers toilet rebates to qualifying residents:

• City of Roswell Toilet Rebate Program
• Fulton County Toilet Rebate Program

Not in the market for a full-blown bathroom remodel? Check out these videos for easy, inexpensive "bath hacks" you can do to improve your bathroom's performance. Swap out your showerhead with a WaterSense labeled model, install a WaterSense labeled faucet aerator, or replace your leaky toilet flapper for big water savings.

• Bath Hack #1 - Replace Your Showerhead
• Bath Hack #2 - Replace Your Faucet Aerator
• Bath Hack #3 - Replace Your Leaky Toilet Flapper

Learn more about ways to save water in your bathroom by visiting the WaterSense website at www.epa.gov/watersense/better-bathroom.

March: Learn How to Check for Leaks in Your Home!

Fix a Leak Week is March 20-26, 2023. Find out more about fixing leaks around your house at EPA WaterSense.

Do you have a drippy kitchen faucet or a leaking showerhead? Small leaks can cause over 1 trillion gallons of water nationwide to be wasted. An American home can waste, on average, more than 10,000 gallons of water every year due to running toilets, dripping faucets and other household leaks. That's close to how much some households use in two months! So, kick your DIY home improvement into high gear and fix those leaks around your home. Take on the challenge to saving water and fixing those leaks!

There are many different ways to check for leaks:

• For City of Roswell Water Customers, the City offers a free service to monitor water usage, called AquaHawk. The AquaHawk platform can alert you to potential leaks based on your settings by email, text, or phone. You can register for this service at Roswell Aquahawk. /li>
• Check your water meter in a 1-2 hour period where you do not use any water. If the meter increases, there is probably a leak. This video has tips on how to use your meter to find a leak.
• If you suspect you have a leaky toilet, drop a few drops of food coloring in the toilet tank. If any color shows up in the bowl after 10 minutes, there is a leak. (Flush right after the experiment to avoid staining the tank)
• Look closely at faucet gaskets and pipe fittings for any water on the outside of the pipe to check for surface leaks.
• Check out Water Sense's Fixing Leaks Checklist for more information on finding leaks in your home.

Once you have identified a leak in your home, it is important to fix it. You can visit WaterSense Fix A Leak Week  to find helpful videos and step by step solutions about fixing leaks in different locations in your home. Fixing a leak is as easy as 1-2-3 and with the help of WaterSense you can get started fixing your leaks today!

April: Spruce Up Your Sprinkler System and Save

When you are spring cleaning this April, take a look outside and spruce up your sprinklers!

In the United States, nearly 8 billion gallons of water are used each day for residential outdoor water use. If sprinkler systems are programmed incorrectly, pointed in the wrong direction, or have a leak, it can lead to even more water used.

To get started with sprucing up your irrigation system, follow these four simple steps:

1. Inspect: Check your system for clogged, broken, or missing sprinkler heads. WaterSense has a detailed checklist to walk you through the inspection process, or better yet, go with a pro to inspect and replace any breaks or leaks.
2. Connect: Examine points where the sprinkler heads connect to pipes/hoses. If water is pooling in your landscape or you have large soggy areas, you could have a leak in your system.
3. Direct: Check the direction of your irrigation and be sure you are not watering your driveway, house, or sidewalk. Redirect sprinklers to apply water only to the landscape.
4. Select: An improperly scheduled irrigation controller can waste a lot of water and money. Update your system's schedule with the seasons, or select a WaterSense labeled controller to help with scheduling your irrigation.

Learn more about maintaining your sprinkler system by visiting U.S. EPA's Sprinkler Spruce Up.

May: A Better Yard Through Smart Planting

Creating a water-smart landscape is a great way to spruce up your yard and better protect the environment. Choosing the right plants, supporting soil health, and proper maintenance are all keys to water-smart landscapes. 

• Use regionally appropriate, low-water using and native plants.
  These plants require little water beyond normal rainfall and rarely require the addition of fertilizer and are more resistant to pests and diseases. To know what plants are native to Roswell, please visit Native Plants for Georgia or the Roswell Plant Guide.
• Recognize site conditions and plant appropriately.
  Choose plants that will thrive in site conditions such as exposure to sun and wind or shade.
• Group plants according to their water needs.
  This will reduce water use and protects the plants from underwatering or overwatering.
• Minimize steep slopes to reduce the potential for erosion and runoff.
  Plant shrubs or native ground covers on slopes.

In the Southeast, make sure your landscape incorporates shrubs and trees matched to the site's water conditions, reducing the need for supplemental irrigation. Use mulch around the garden plants to reduce evaporative water loss from the soil. For more tips to make your yard better this month, please visit Landscaping Tips from the EPA.

June: Water Efficiency Is Just a Click Away!

Did you know that there are easy switches you can make in your home to decrease your water use? WaterSense makes it easy to find and select water–efficient products that can help your wallet and the environment. Just look for products bearing the WaterSense label at your local retailer.

WaterSense labeled products are backed by independent, third–party certification and meet EPA's specifications for water efficiency and performance. When you use these water–saving products in your home or business, you can expect exceptional performance, savings on your water bills, and assurance that you are saving water for future generations.

For more information go to WaterSense Products at the EPA where you can do a product search, find rebates near you, and calculate your savings.

July: Spruce up the Garden With Water-Smart Landscaping

This is a great time to think about new landscaping. To make your yard water-smart, group plants together with similar watering needs to save water and promote plant health.

Go native! Once established, native and low water-using plants require little water beyond normal rainfall. If you're designing a new landscape or just sprucing up your current landscape, be sure to consider the water needs of the plants you choose. For regional landscaping tips go to The Watersense website.

Not only can proper plantings be visually appealing in our yards, but they also can positively impact our environment and save money! The increased curb appeal of a properly landscaped yard not only leads to higher home values, but it requires less water, fertilizer, pesticides, and typically less maintenance. There are several other benefits to a Water-Smart Landscapes, such as:

• Lower water bills
• Conservation of natural resources
• Decreased energy use
• Reduced cost of cooling/heating interior of home
• Reduced runoff from landscape
• Fewer yard debris

Plan for a water-smart landscape next year. Be picky about the plants you choose; local varieties can save water. For more information check out this guide from the EPA.

August: Save Water at Home

City of Roswell's Environmental/Public Works water utility division's top priority is ensuring Roswell has a clean, reliable water supply for years to come. The average U.S. per capita water use is 170 gallons per day (gpd) and 30-60% of that water is used to water yards and gardens, with large portions of water wasted by over-watering, evaporation during the day, and misdirected sprinklers that water sidewalks and driveways.

According to the American Rivers Network, there are a few simple things you can do at home to ease the burden on your local water supply and save money in the process.

1. Turn off the faucet while brushing your teeth.
2. Only run the washing machine and dishwasher when you have a full load.
3. Use a low-flow shower head and faucet aerators.
4. Fix leaks as soon as you find them.
5. Install a dual-flush or low-flow toilet or put a conversion kit on your existing toilet.
6. Don't overwater your lawn or water during peak periods, and install rain sensors on irrigation systems.
7. Install a rain barrel for outdoor watering.
8. Plant a rain garden for catching stormwater runoff from your roof, driveway, and other hard surfaces.
9. Monitor your water usage on your water bill and ask your local government about a home water audit.
10. Share your knowledge about saving water with neighbors.

Simple water-saving choices can have a huge effect on your water use, saving you money and Roswell water. Through smart water stewardship we can have clean drinking water for years to come.

September: Why is Conserving Water Important?

It's extremely important to conserve water, because even though it may seem we have endless amounts of water, the truth is that not much is available for human consumption and use. According to the EPA, less than one percent of water on Earth is available for human use. The rest is either salt water found in oceans, fresh water frozen in the polar ice caps, or too inaccessible for practical usage.

In the U.S., it is estimated that the average American family uses more than 300 gallons of water per day at home. Roughly 70 percent of this use occurs indoors. Understanding how much water you use is beneficial so that you can take steps to save water and inevitably save money.

Less water going down the drain means more water available for wildlife survival as well as recreation in lakes, rivers, and streams. Using water more efficiently helps maintain supplies at safe levels, protecting human health and the environment. Further, decreasing water usage in the home can save you money this holiday season.

How can YOU help conserve water?

Save Indoors:

1. Switch to WaterSense-labeled products like showerheads, toilets, or faucets when you can
2. Fix any leaks. Small household leaks can add up to gallons of water lost each day
3. Take shorter showers and turn off the water while brushing your teeth or shaving
4. Plug up the sink when washing dishes by hand and when using a dishwasher, load it fully
5. Scrape your plate into the trash instead of rinsing it
6. Wash full loads of laundry and set your washing machine to cold water

Save Outdoors:

1. Create a water smart landscape that is beautiful and efficiently saves water
2. Check to make sure your sprinkler system is in proper working order and limit its use
3. Sweep driveways, sidewalks, and steps rather than hosing them off
4. Wash your car with water from a bucket or use a commercial car wash that recycles water

Start conserving water resources today and bring home savings this holiday season! For more helpful tips and information visit Smart Saving by the EPA.

October: Shower Better with WaterSense!

Showering is an important part of everyone's routine, but it uses a lot of water and energy - it is estimated that showering accounts for 17% of indoor water usage. There is an easy solution to showering better that saves water, energy, and money. That solution is switching out your showerheads to a WaterSense-labeled model. A WaterSense showerhead can reduce the environmental impact and the amount of water used.

There are many positive impacts of using the WaterSense shower head! If every home in the US started using WaterSense shower heads, we would save over 260 billion gallons of water and $5.4 billion in water and energy costs. By simply replacing one showerhead in your household, you could save 2,700 gallons of water and over $70 in electricity each year. If you are saving that much by only replacing one showerhead, imagine how much you could save by replacing them all!

For more information on showering better with WaterSense shower heads and other ideas for Shower Better Month in October, please visit the following link: Shower Better with WaterSense.

November: Save Water With Smart Toilets!

A main source of water use in the home is toilets, as they account for almost 30% of an average home’s indoor water consumption. Toilets can be a large source of wasted water, especially older toilets, because they require as much as 6 gallons of water per flush. The current federal standard for the amount of water a toilet should use is 1.6 gallons per flush.

One way to save water and reduce your water bill is to consider using a WaterSense-labeled toilet when replacing your old one, remodeling your bathroom, or starting construction of a new home. A WaterSense-labeled toilet is independently certified to meet specific criteria for both performance and efficiency. WaterSense-labeled toilets use up to 1.3 gallons of water per flush – drastically less water than older toilets. When you replace your toilet with a new, more efficient one, the average household can reduce water used for toilets by up to 60%, which is equivalent to almost 13,000 gallons of water saved per year. This can save your household money as well because when your home uses less water, your water bill decreases.

Another incentive to replace the older, inefficient toilets in your home is toilet rebate programs. The City of Roswell offers toilet rebates to its water customers if they replace their old toilet with one that uses 1.1 gallons per flush or less. Information for the toilet rebate program can be found by visiting Roswell Green Toilet Rebate. Fulton County customers also have the option for a toilet rebate and can apply through the Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District website. Replacing your toilet will continue to save your household money as well because when your home uses less water, your water bill will decrease.

Reducing water usage when possible is important because it saves money and the environment. If you are interested in learning more about how much water you can save with a WaterSense-approved toilet that is efficient and cost-effective, visit WaterSense – Residential Toilets.

 

December: Winterize Your Water Lines to Keep Your Home Safe

When freezing temperatures come, frozen pipes can break, causing severe water damage to a home.

Issues are caused by water freezing, which causes it to expand. If it is in your pipes, it has nowhere to expand into, forcing it to break pipes, faucets, and appliances.

There are some easy ways to keep your pipes – and home – safe during freezing temperatures:

• Insulate the pipes that are exposed to the outside, such as hose spigots and lines in garages, basements, crawl spaces, and attics.
• If an indoor pipe or faucet is on an outside wall, consider leaving the tap dripping to keep water moving and less likely to freeze.
• Set thermostats at 55 degrees or higher if you leave the house for more than a day.
• For outside spigots, turn off the water lines to the outside, and then drain what water is remaining.

If you suspect you have broken pipes, shut off the main water valve and contact City of Roswell Water Utility at 770-641-3707, or Fulton County Water at 770-640-3040. You can also report a leak via the City of Roswell mobile app, located in the Apple and Android app stores. If you are a Roswell water user, you can sign up for the Aquahawk monitoring system which will tell you if you have a leak. Sign up at www.Roswellgov.com/Aquahawk.