Avoid the Peak!

This is just a reminder for customers that have an automatic sprinkler system to set your sprinkler timer outside the hours of 5:30 a.m.–7:30 a.m. to Water Wisely and Avoid The Peak! During peak hours we are busy showering, cooking, doing laundry, and getting ready for the day. By simply not watering your lawn between peak hours on weekday mornings, you can help Central Arkansas Water manage peak demand periods, avoid undue stress on our public water system, and ensure adequate water pressure for you and your neighbors. With your help each summer, we can keep our water supply safe, dependable, and affordable. So, Water Wisely and Avoid The Peak! If you have questions, please call 501.377.1331.

Further Water Saving Tips

• Install a rain sensor on your irrigation system
• Don’t water hardscapes (sidewalks, etc.)
• Fix or replace broken sprinkler heads
• Use a rain gauge to measure precipitation
• Adjust your irrigation system with the season
• Check for water leaks
• Water deeply and let soil dry out between watering
• Capture downspout water with a rain barrel and use to water flower beds and the garden
• Send downspout water into the garden instead of the street
• Use mulch because it helps reduce moisture loss by evaporation and can also help with weed control

The Facts on Peak Water Use

• Peak water use describes the time of year when residential water use is at its highest, usually in early August, depending on where you live.
• Because there are many regional variations in weather and outdoor water use, there is no national peak water use day.
• Peak seasonal water use is typically three to five times as much as winter water use. It’s a great time to find new ways to save water inside and outside your home.
• The average American home uses about 260 gallons of water per day; however, during peak season the same household can use about 1,000 gallons of water in a day.
• In some instances peak daily use can be as high as 3,000 gallons a day –more than 10 times the average daily use.It isequivalent to a garden hose running open for nearlyeight hours or enough water to supply the same home for 16 days!
• Peak hourly use usually occurs between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m., with a secondary peak between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.
• We can all reduce our peak water use, and utility bills, by watering only as needed; washing full loads of laundry; and using more efficient plumbing fixtures.

About EPA's WaterSense Program

WaterSense is a partnership program sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Its mission is to protect the future of our nation’s water supply by promoting and enhancing the market for water-efficient products and services.Currently, there are more than 300 WaterSense labeled toilets, 1,000 labeled faucets and faucet accessories, and more than 700 irrigation partners. WaterSense labeled productsmust achieve independent, third-party testing and certification to prove they meet EPA’s rigorous criteria for efficiency and performance. Central Arkansas Water is an EPA WaterSense Partner and we promote and encourage the use of their programs. For more information, visit epa.gov/watersense.