The 420,000 customers of Newport News Waterworks continue to be water-wise; Single family residential customers use about 60 gallons per person for day of water. That is about ½ the national average! We talk with our customers a lot and here are some of the things you all are doing to use water wisely.

• Taking shorter showers, which can save 150 gallons per month; 

• Using rain sensors on irrigation systems and irrigation timers so you are not over-watering the landscape; 

• Fixing leaks that can save hundreds of gallons of water per month; 

• Replacing toilets larger than 1.6 gallons per flush and older faucets can save a family of 2.6 (national average) anywhere from 11,000 - 18,000 gallons of water annually.

• Replacing older appliances with water-efficient appliances.  A top-loading clothes washer can cut water use for clothes washing by 38 – 55%!

Waterworks, as a utility, is a water-wise with our own practices, including during the treatment process. Here is what we do to “walk the talk” about wise water use:

• Undetectable pressure reduction to the safest level that saves our system 2 – 3 million gallons daily. 

• One of our industry’s lowest rate of “unaccounted for water” (water lost during processing and unmetered uses). 

• Proactive pipe replacement and meter testing program to reduce leak potential throughout our 1,700 miles of pipelines. 

• Recycling of water during treatment to reclaim 2 – 3 million gallons daily. 

• Elimination of outside watering of grass around facilities; only plant materials are watered. 

• 9% reduction in grassy areas around our facilities with further reductions planned. 

• Survey of older facilities to find ways to reduce water usage. 

• Partner with EPA’s WaterSense Program.