Water Conservation

Richmond Hill is a WaterFirst Community

In 2016, the City of Richmond Hill was designated a Water First Community through the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (now under GEFA). Becoming a WaterFirst community demonstrates a local government’s commitment to responsible water stewardship for environmental and economic benefits today and in the future. The voluntary partnership between the City and state agencies encourage a proactive approach to water resources. In order to be considered a community must address seven major components of the WaterFirst Program including; Watershed Assessment, Stormwater Master Planning, Water Supply Planning, Water Supply Protection, Water Conservation, Wastewater Treatment Systems and Management; and Water Reclamation and Reuse. For more information on the program and its benefits visit Water First.

The City of Richmond Hill falls within the Level 1 Drought Response. The Water Stewardship Act of 2010 remains in place. The Act limits outdoor water use year-round to the hours between 4 pm and 10 am.

Conservation Tips

Top 5 Water-Wasting Home Appliances and What to Do About Them

  1. Your Toilets: Consider adding a low-flow toilet to your home. In the meantime, residents should consider adding a flapper and valve kit to your toilets that are designed to detect and prevent leaks plus reduce the water needed for each flush. Installing these on your toilets can save up to 15,000 gallons of water for an average family. A leaking toilet undetected can waste as much as 200 gallons per day! A quick way to check if you have a leaky toilet is by adding food coloring to the toilet tank. If you see color in the bowl, you know your flapper needs replacing.
  2. Your Washing Machine: Washing clothes may take up to 54 gallons per load with conventional top-load washers. The most efficient front load washers require only seven gallons of water. High efficiency washers also use less energy. Consider cutting down your frequency of laundry per week to add extra savings.
  3. Your Shower: Showers account for almost 20% of indoor water use. While they’re more efficient than baths, using a low-flow showerhead will cut water use by close to 40% when compared to standard showerheads. Keep your showers shorter and turning off the water while lathering can cut down waste as well. Shortening shower time also conserves your energy bill.
  4. Your Faucets: Faucets account for about 17% of household water use. Adding water-saving aerators to your taps can mean large savings. Aerators are simple to install and relatively inexpensive.
  5. Leaks: In addition to fixing leaky faucets and toilets, it’s a good practice to check the rest of your house for drips and puddles that could indicate ongoing leaks. If you don’t see any evidence of leaks, it’s still worth checking your water meter when you know no one is using water in your house. Is it moving? Record meter readings over one hour and note the difference. If your meter advances when no water is in use, you have a leak somewhere.