Reasons and tips to conserve water
The Washington Township Municipal Utilities Authority, Washington Township Environmental Commission and Sustainable Washington Township have come together to create the 2018 water conservation guide.
The guide begins with background information on where water comes from. The guide says the water for all businesses and homes in Washington Township comes from underground aquifers. This can be regulated by the Washington Township MUA or come from a private well.
The guide claims there are three aquifers under Washington Township. The deepest is the Potomac-Raritan-Magothy. Above that is the Mount Laurel-Wenonah, and the one closest to the surface is the Cohansey. Between each aquifer are layers of dense material, called confining beds, to prevent water from moving between them. For reference, parts of the Cohansey aquifer are above sea level, everything else is below sea level.
“The WTMUA operates wells that draw from all three aquifers, but mostly from the Raritan,” the guide says.
According to the guide the Raritan is the most productive aquifer; it is relied on heavily for most South Jersey communities, which is causing stress because water is being removed faster than it can regenerate. This is a delicate situation because, while the Raritan is at risk for pollution or salt water intrusion, taking too much water from the Cohansey can negatively impact streams and lakes.
The conservation guide also gives tips for conserving water both inside and outside one’s household. There are standard things such as turning off the tap while brushing teeth or shaving, keeping showers under five minutes long, washing only full loads of laundry, using appropriate water levels on washing machines, plugging the sink when washing dishes by hand and using a dishwasher only when full.
When it comes to outdoor water conservation, one should water lawns and gardens in the evening or early in the morning to reduce evaporation, add mulch around trees and plants to reduce evaporation, patronize car wash businesses that recycle water and harvest roof-top runoff to use the stored water for flowers and landscaping.
There are also water-use restrictions in place for township residents. From May 1 to Sept. 15, non-essential outdoor water use, such as sprinkling lawns, washing cars or filling pools, is prohibited between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.. The aforementioned water use can be done before 11 a.m. and from 6 p.m. to midnight on an odd/even calendar schedule. Residents on the east side of Egg Harbor Road are permitted to use non-essential outdoor water on odd-numbered calendar dates before 11 a.m. and after 6 p.m., and residents on the west side of Egg Harbor Road can do it on even-numbered calendar dates.
Vicky Binetti, chair of the Environmental Commission, echoed the importance of conserving water.
“Water is precious,” she said. “It’s critical to our economy and quality of life. I’ve seen many communities who have gone without water, either because of an accident or drought, and the impact on commerce and quality of life is unbelievable.”
Binetti believes there are three easy ways to conserve energy at home.
“In the summer, be mindful of how frequently you water your lawn. Be moderate,” she said. “You don’t need to water your lawn as often as you might think. Take shorter showers, we tend to use a lot of water without thinking about it for everyday activities. Look for opportunities to use water-saving devices. Things like faucet fixtures are very easy to install, and you won’t notice a difference.”
For more information about water conservation, the WTMUA can be reached at (856) 227–7788. The environmental commission can be reached at WTEC@twp.washington.nj.us or at (856) 589–0520 ext. 232.
