The Case for Water Conservation in New Jersey

Did you know that each American uses 100 gallons of water on average every day? That is enough water to fill 1,600 bottles of drinking water! When considering summer outdoor water use, some New Jersey residents use in excess of 200 gallons of water per day!  But we can all reduce our water use by as much as 30 percent by taking a few simple steps, such as installing high-efficiency plumbing fixtures and using water more efficiently in our yards.

Historically, significant consideration, time, and money have been dedicated to increasing water supply storage and availability in New Jersey. Promoting the efficient use of water has received relatively less attention. Increasingly, however, more of our limited water supply – and much of it, highly treated drinking water – is being used to water lawns and landscapes and for other non-essential, outdoor activities.  In hot, dry weather, excessive outdoor use quickly depletes the finite water reserves we rely on for our everyday needs.

With an ever-expanding and shifting populace, the continued loss of open space, wetlands and aquifer recharge areas, the regionalization of wastewater discharges to the ocean and bays and the evaporative losses tied to inefficient irrigation have all led to the loss of fresh water in New Jersey. Despite a relatively wetter period over the past four decades, (with average annual rainfall about 3 inches greater than the long-term average), water deficits are becoming increasingly common in the once "water-rich" Garden State.

As New Jersey’s population continues to grow and water reserves are further constrained, more must be done to safeguard an adequate water supply. Conservation can save water utilities and the State considerable capital expenses over the long term by delaying or even eliminating the need to develop new or expanded potable water supplies infrastructure. Water savings also reduce the volume of water that needs to be pumped and treated, thereby cutting energy costs and the production of unnecessary greenhouse gases. Before undertaking additional capital infrastructure projects to increase water supplies in the future, it is fitting and responsible first to reduce water waste and the unnecessary and unbridled consumption of water supplies. 

*NJ Reservoir closed for swimming due to drought

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection is committed to protecting the future of our water supply through water-efficient practices, products, and services. For more information on water conservation contact:

Katie Barnett
Division of Water Supply
katie.barnett@dep.state.nj.us
609-292-7219

Our Partners:

 

Why Should YOU Care about Water Conservation?

• View video on why you should care.
• New Jersey is viewed as a "water-rich" state because of its plentiful average rainfall, but our population density and growing thirst for water outdoors increasingly stress our water supply;
  
• Using water efficiently will save you money, help protect the environment, and conserve supplies for future generations;
• Protecting and preserving our water supply is critical to our economic future and to protect human health and safety;
• Conserving water through simple changes– like turning the faucet off when brushing teeth and washing dishes -  can have a large impact overall;
• Using water efficiently and not over-watering lawns and landscapes can dramatically reduce water waste – the water savings may prevent the need for water use restrictions during hot, dry weather;  
• Purchasing water efficient fixtures and appliances, such as WaterSense labeled products, offer equivalent or superior performance to water intensive products;
• 'Water- A Matter of Importance' video with this caption: "Click on the 'Water- A Matter of Importance' video to hear the State's leading experts discuss NJ's water supply and the need for conservation."

Water Conservation Links

Learn about the benefits of water efficiency and find links to related resources and federal and state programs.

• US EPA WaterSense- Efficiency Made Easy
• US EPA WaterSense Tips
• New Jersey Drought Information
• Rutgers Water Resources Program
• Save Water! Outreach & Education Resources
• H2O- Water Saver Home Resources
• H2O Conserve- Water Footprint Calculator
• Sustainable Jersey

Simple Tips to Help You Conserve Water INSIDE Your Home

View Video of simple tips to help you conserve water inside your home

Here are some tips for saving water and money in the bathroom …

• Update your shower with a low-flow showerhead and save up to 7,665 gallons and up to $50 per year.
• Cut down the time you spend in the shower to 5 minutes … and remember the suggestion of switching from baths to 5-minute showers and save 76,650 gallons and up to $498 per year.
• Replace that old water guzzling toilet with a WaterSense low-flow version and save 10,986 gallons and up to $70 per year.
• Get your family to turn the water off while brushing their teeth and save up to 11,680 gallons and up to $75 per year.
• Update your faucet or attach an inexpensive faucet aerator to your existing one and save 15,622 gallons and up to $100 per year.
• Fix a constantly running toilet and save up to $480 per year

For the kitchen …

• Only wash dishes when the dishwasher is full and save up to 2,920 gallons and up to $19 per year.
• Replace the old dishwasher with a new high-efficiency model and save up to 1,314 gallons and up to $8 per year.
• Use a faucet aerator and change to a low-flow faucet when possible and save up to 15,622 gallons and up to $100.
• Store drinking water in the refrigerator instead of running the faucet until the water is cold.

And in the laundry room …

• Upgrade to a high efficiency clothes washer and save up to 14,585 gallons and up to $94 per year.
• Wash only full loads of clothing by adding until the washer is full and save up to 10,534 gallons and up to $68 per year.
• Adjust the water-setting level to correspond with the size of the wash load.

These few tips add up to more than 167,000 gallons and up to approximately $1,500 a year for the family to save, and enjoy. 

*Calculations for water and money savings are based on estimated water use for a family of four with a water rate of $6.50 per 1,000 gallons. Note: Water rates vary around the State.

More Indoor Water Saving Tips:

• Wash fruits and vegetables in a basin and not under running water
• Do not defrost frozen food under running water; instead thaw in the refrigerator overnight
• Add food wastes to your compost pile instead of using the garbage disposal
• Take care of household leaks and save up to 10% on your water bill
• To detect leaks, check your water meter before and after two hours of no water use

Simple Tips to Help You Conserve Water OUTSIDE Your Home

Video of simple tips to help you conserve water outside your home

Here are some tips for saving water and money while watering lawns and landscapes…

• Only water when needed, New Jersey landscapes need approximately one inch of water a week … most of which often comes from natural rainfall
• Water flowers with rain collected from your roof with a barrel connected to your gutter downspout
• Use 30-50% less water with drip irrigation and micro-sprays compared to sprinklers
• If you have an irrigation system, get a system audit done by an irrigation specialist who is certified as a USEPA WaterSense Partner

Here are some tips for saving water and money in the Garden:

• Use native plants that survive best in local conditions, and group plants together based on water need
• Choose drought-tolerant grass varieties such as tall fescues
• Mulch around trees and plants to reduce evaporation and water-consuming weeds
• Cut back on lawn areas and increase the size of low water using and native plant garden beds.

Here are some tips for saving water and money while doing household chores:

• Wash the car with a bucket, or use a commercial car wash that recycles water
• When using a hose, control the flow with an automatic shut-off nozzle
• Raise your lawn mower blade to at least 3 inches to promote deeper roots and root system shade that holds soil moisture best
• Don’t over fertilize lawns as they need more water to survive
• Sweep driveways, sidewalks and steps rather than hosing them off

Here are some tips for saving water and money during recreational times:

• Avoid recreational toys that require a constant stream of water
• If you have a pool, remember to purchase a water-saving filter
• Cover your pool to reduce evaporation when not in use

More Outdoor Water Saving Tips:

• You are over watering when puddles are forming on the landscape or in the street
• Do not water during the heat of the day – water in the early morning hours or early evening hours to reduce evaporation
• Save water and reduce diseases by watering the root zone instead of the foliage
• Water deeply, less frequently for a deeper, healthier root systems
• Refer to these manuals for more ideas:
  • Conserving Water on Home Lawns and Landscapes in New Jersey
  • Landscaping for WaterConservation
  • Low Maintenance Landscaping (pdf)
• Add organic matter to the soil to improve water and nutrient-holding capacity for healthier plants
• Use dehumidifier and air-conditioner condensation to water your plants

Programs & Resources to Help You Conserve Water- NJ Water Savers

www.njwatersavers.rutgers.edu/

In 2007 the NJDEP, Division of Water Supply along with program partner, Rutgers Cooperative Extension’s Water Resources Program, began developing the New Jersey Water Savers Program which began with the solicitation of municipal partners. Out of 40 applicants, five communities were chosen due to their specific water supply issues and demographics. The five communities include: Rahway (urban community that gets its water from the Rahway River), Belmar Borough (beach community whose daily population swells in the summer months and is located in Critical Water Supply Area 1), Livingston (a suburban bedroom community with extremely high outdoor irrigation use and high summer water use peaks), East Greenwich (rural farming community with increasing farmland being converted to large lot suburban developments) and Egg Harbor Township (Pinelands Regional Growth Area that absorbed massive growth in a very short period of time).

The first year of the program consisted of working closely with the Environmental Commissions and local municipalities to survey the communities and recommend various programming that could potentially help yield significant water savings in the community. Once the recommendations were vetted and approved by the respective communities, work began to implement the various programs. Below is a summary of work that has been done and continues to be done in all 5 pilot areas and a glimpse of what’s to come in the near future.

Indoor Retrofits
In 1993 the Energy Policy Act established water conserving guidelines for all plumbing fixtures and appliances to be sold in the United States. Over time, this has helped reduce the overall amount of water used indoors in the typical American house. However, there are still many outdated fixtures and appliances contributing to the waste of New Jersey’s water resources. The following projects have been developed/ implemented to determine potential water savings and costs associated with updating public building and private residencies with water-conserving technologies.

Retrofits to Public Buildings- To help determine the water and money savings that could actually be achieved in New Jersey’s public buildings and the costs that would ultimately be associated with these updates, the NJ Water Savers program partnered with American Standard to retrofit public school buildings in all 5 pilot communities. Donations include 1.28 gallon per flush toilets, pint flush urinals and 1.5 gallon per minute faucets which have been installed in Livingston’s Monmouth Court Alternative School and Community Center, East Greenwich’s Clarke Elementary School and Belmar Elementary School. Additional donations are slated to go to both Rahway High School and Egg Harbor Township High School. In order to measure success, pre-audits were conducted prior to installation and post-audits and cost/ benefit analyses are currently underway.	A student posted this sign above the water saving devices installed at the Clarke Elementary School in East Greenwich.
Name Your Rebate for Water Savings at Home- This program was developed to determine what type of incentive is necessary to encourage homeowners in Rahway to update to water-conserving technologies. Homeowners were given an opportunity to request a rebate award at the dollar increment they would need to purchase various water saving products. Awards were given based on availability of funding. Funding of water-saving products came from the NJ Water Savers program budget and was matched by both American Standard and the Birdsall Corporation. This program was implemented in winter/spring 2010. Results are currently being collected and analyzed.	Brochure for the Rahway Name Your Rebate for Water Savings at Home Program
WaterSense Certifiable Home- The NJ Water Savers program partnered with Dobley Construction to create a WaterSense certifiable house which adheres to the EPA New Home Specifications. The house features all WaterSense plumbing fixtures and water efficient appliances indoor, a smart irrigation system and a limited lawn area (only 40% turfgrass and 60% low water using, native plant gardens). The home was a focus in a series of Water Conservation videos which was created in partnership with NJ American Water Company. To request your copy of the video for your organizations website or use in presentations please contact Katie.barnett@dep.state.nj.us.	WaterSense Certifiable House in Egg Harbor Township
Install Sub-Meters at Section 8 Housing – The Rahway Housing Authority has already updated all the fixtures in the buildings with low-flow plumbing fixtures and has meticulous details on the water use (pre- and post-installation) which they have given to the NJ Water Savers program as part of our analysis data. In addition to updating the fixtures, the NJ Water Savers program is working with the Rahway Housing Authority to install individual meters for each of the 16 Section 8 Housing buildings. The meters will allow for more accurate measurement of water consumption as well as more efficient identification and repair of leaks etc. Rutgers Environmental County Agent, Michele Bakacs is also preparing a water conservation educational program specifically targeting residents of the Section 8 housing.
Water Champions Program- Project partner EPA Region 2 was the brainchild of this concept to engage local high school students in the promotion of WaterSense and water- efficient products. Through the NJ Water Savers Program, the Water Champions concept was expanded to include an intense educational component prior to arming the students with a promotional strategy. Watershed Ambassador Steve Hruby worked with approximately 15 students from Rahway High School’s Social Action Club to develop and implement this program. The group conducted pre-water audits and pre-cost/benefit analyses for one set of highly trafficked restrooms. They have also performed calculations for the entire school. American Standard has donated fixtures to update the set of restrooms. On July 13th the student interns provided a presentation of their findings to School Officials, American Standard, EPA, NJDEP, and more at a public meeting. The students concluded their presentation by asking American Standard to consider donating enough products to retrofit the rest of the High School’s bathrooms. American Standard executive, Jeanette Long, eagerly agreed to donate the rest of the products which are to be installed over the course of this school year.	4 members of the Rahway Social Action Club in front of ‘The Waiting Room’ restaurant in downtown Rahway. The students performed a water audit and recommended water-conserving upgrades to help the business conserve water and money.

 

Outdoor Demonstration Projects and Workshops
A vast amount of water, much of it highly treated drinking water, is routinely wasted each year for the irrigation of lawns and landscaping. As New Jersey’s population grows and expands, the conversion of rural and forested areas into manicured landscapes is contributing to a spiraling thirst for water, particularly during the peak use growing season. This increasingly strains surface and ground water sources, drinking water treatment, storage and delivery facilities, and the safe and dependable yields of a growing number of water systems.

While some irrigation may be necessary as a complement to natural precipitation, there is growing evidence of widespread over-watering. The over-indulgence in artificial irrigation is not unique to New Jersey and is attributable to a number of factors which may include misconceptions about the amount of water needed to properly irrigate turf and landscaping, inefficient sprinkler system design or operation, malfunctioning rain sensor devices on irrigation systems, and simple neglect and carelessness.

The New Jersey Water Savers Program has identified and installed multiple demonstration garden sites and developed workshops specifically to educate residents of the true water needs of NJ plant life and how they can do their part to curtail outdoor water waste.

Demonstration Native Plants & Rain Gardens and Natural Retention Basins have been installed in Livingston, East Greenwich, Egg Harbor Township and Belmar with great success. For example, the rain garden in Livingston was designed and engineered to infiltrate the water of a 100 year storm. The Livingston Mayor, Arlene Johnson, has since reported that the rain garden handled the latest 100 year storm perfectly and that it was the first time since the Library was built that flooding did not occur with a storm of that size. To accompany the demonstration projects, different programs have been developed and tested for effectiveness including community workshops, school/ youth involvement, self guided walking tours etc. All demonstration gardens have been true community efforts engaging local residents and municipal representatives.	Native Plants Rain Garden at Livingston Library
Build-A-Rain-Barrel Workshops- Rain Barrels are 55 gallon food grade drums converted with a spigot and screen to collect water off of a roof for outdoor lawn and garden use. While installing a rain barrel at home is certainly not an answer to our water supply problems it most certainly serves as a catalyst for change. Rain Barrel workshops given through the NJ Water Savers program have engaged and got many in the community thinking about water resources and how water conservation efforts can help on a local level. Rain Barrel workshops have been held in Rahway, Belmar, Egg Harbor Township, East Greenwich and Livingston.	Rain barrel workshops in our 5 pilot communities were so successful that NJDEP requested we hold 2 workshops during lunchtime hours for employees to attend!
One Barrel at a Time Co-op- One comment that we continue to hear is that rain barrels are not so pretty. Which got us thinking, how can we get the concept to become aesthetically appealing to more than just the typical environmentalist and have them catch the attention of the general public? The answer- make them beautiful. Through the One Barrel at a time Co-op, 35 artists were solicited from around the State to design and paint barrels which subsequently toured the State and were auctioned off. Funds raised through the auction offset the cost of offering the program with the balance going to the artists. This initiative was extremely well received and got quite a bit of publicity. Since the program launched many smaller communities have initiated their own versions of the Co-op. Watershed Ambassador and film producer, Andy Kushner, filmed interviews with several artists, the creation of one barrel, and the unveiling event all of which is currently being edited into a video highlighting the overall project. 3 of the 35 barrels professionally painted and auctioned off for the One Barrel at a Time Co-op
Smart Irrigation Controllers- One new technology that has been developed for the irrigation of lawns and landscapes is the Smart Controller. Smart controllers take into account soil moisture levels and atmospheric conditions prior to automatically going off providing much more accurate irrigation based on the plants’ actual needs. The result- saving up to 40% on water used for irrigation. A Smart Irrigation controller demonstration/ test site was installed in East Greenwich at the Thompson Park soccer field. In addition, a Smart Irrigation controller has been installed at the above referenced WaterSense Certifiable Home and at the ‘test’ site of the Healthy Lawns Program (described below). All Smart Controller demonstration sites are being accompanied by various outreach and education programs.
Irrigation System Upgrades- For those who cannot invest in a new Smart Irrigation Controller, being better informed about how the systems work and routine maintenance can also achieve great water savings. One example of this is a demonstration project completed at the Magical Garden Co-op in Belmar. The Co-op is a community vegetable garden that utilized a typical automatic irrigation system with a very poor, 38% efficiency. By simply changing the sprinker heads the efficiency increased to 91% (EPA WaterSense program considers 70% good). This simple, cost effective fix increased efficiency by 53% at the site.	Sprinkler efficiency test at the Magical Garden Coop
Healthy Lawns Program- In many areas of the State, property developers are commonly placing little or no top soil on newly developed residential and commercial lots. A relatively small expenditure is needed to create a balanced soil composition that will sustain and grow healthy turf and landscaping that will not require excess water or fertilizer. However, when developers begin to establish turf seed in areas with little to no top soil, the purchaser of the property is often burdened with years of expensive rehabilitation including increased and sometimes uneducated applications of water and fertilizers. This creates unnecessary water use and nonpoint source pollution. East Greenwich is a perfect example of an area being affected by this practice as many new developments are being constructed on old farmland. Top soil is being stripped and little attention is being paid to the soil composition prior to seeding. The result has been inefficient use of water and fertilizer on these compacted, nutrient poor soils that will not allow penetration of the water/ fertilizer creating a situation of water waste and runoff. The Healthy Lawn Program has partnered with the Brickman group to recreate two lawns in a healthy, sustainable nature for use as demonstration and study sites. To rectify the issue created by the soil stripping, a two-month-long process of killing off invading weeds, installing 55 yards of compost, preparing the soils, and hydro-seeding is necessary. One of the two demonstration sites will also feature a Smart Irrigation system. The other site will be hand watered for establishment but will not be irrigated once established.  This process is typically very costly and financially burdensome to new home owners ranging from $25,000- $35,000 to renovate a one-acre property. The Healthy Lawns Program will result in a guide of Information and Best Management Practices for home owners and a model New Development and Soil Composition Ordinance that municipalities facing this problem can choose to adopt to prevent soil stripping in their towns. In addition, a workshop has been developed and presented by Dr. Mangiafico of Rutgers Cooperative Extension to residents in Egg Harbor Township, East Greenwich and Belmar.
Rainwater harvesting system at the Samuel Mickel School Wild Sites- A 500-gallon rain water harvesting system has been installed at the Samuel Mickel School Wild sites. The harvesting system is essentially a huge rain barrel designed to capture the rain off a portion of the school’s roof. The water is then pumped through the water-efficient irrigation system and provides water to feed the students’ native plant gardens. This project was officially open to the public at a Build-A-Rain Barrel workshop held in May where participants toured the gardens and then built their own rain barrels to use at their home gardens.	Rain Water Harvesting System at Samuel Mickel School
Get to Know Your Water Source Eco-Tour- The City of Rahway’s water source is supplied through the Rahway River. However, when surveying the town, many did not know where their water came from or any specific details about the Rahway River. In an effort to get residents to be better stewards of their water resources, a Get to Know your Water Source Eco-Tour is being developed. This education tool will feature a canoe/ kayak tour in order to familiarize participants with the Rahway River and its use as a primary drinking water source.
Marketing Water Conservation to Tourists at Belmar- This is being implemented and tested in three different ways. Self Guided MP3 bike/walking tour- Belmar resident Merry Brennen is currently scripting the tour featuring all of the water conserving sites in Belmar. The tour will be promoted to both overnight and day visitors in Belmar. Visitors can either download the tour from the Belmar municipal website onto their personal MP3 player or can stop by city hall to borrow an already loaded MP3 player (security deposit required). The tour will highlight the townships two native plant rain gardens, the Magical Garden Co-op (and it’s porous paver driveway), the native plants berm, and the low-flow bath facilities at the beach, boardwalk and Belmar Elementary School. In an effort to attract more than just those already interested in water resources and water conservation, the tour will also feature other sites of interest that may include environmental, artistic, or historical themes. By incorporating these additional subjects, it is hoped that more participants will be interested in taking the tour and will hear the water conservation message. Demonstration project at the beach- The Township had previously invested in water-conserving toilets, waterless urinals, and low-flow beach showers.  However, those using the fixtures may not know that they are using water-saving devices or how much water is being saved.  As part of the NJ Water Savers program, signage is currently being created and installed at each of the water using sites. This provides for a great promotional opportunity to bring the water conservation message to the tourist population as well as residents using the beach facilities. Renter educational materials- All people renting property in Belmar receive a package of information describing the town, things to do etc. The NJ Water Savers program has developed water conservation marketing material that has been included in each renter package.

Hybrid Programs Encouraging both Indoor and Outdoor Conservation

• Model Ordinance Development and Promotion- The NJ Water Savers program in cooperation with the Sustainable Jersey program have drafted multiple versions of an outdoor water conservation ordinance. The ordinance is currently a “Priority Item” in the Sustainable Jersey Program which is being promoted Statewide. In addition, the next version of the ordinance is being vetted through multiple industry representatives and municipalities to help iron out any flaws. The ordinance and an overview of the entire NJ Water Savers educational program was recently promoted through a series of regional water conservation workshops offered through the Sustainable Jersey program. The presentation was also recorded via webinar and can be found at http://www.sustainablejersey.com/about.php by scrolling down and clicking on "Sustainable Jersey Water Conservation Education Training (September 9, 2010)". The NJ Water Savers program plans to incorporate more Model Ordinances into the overall package such as Water Efficiency Requirements for New Developments and Renovation of Existing Buildings, Time of Sale Ordinances, Soil Stripping Ordinances etc. The series of Model Ordinances will not be mandatory but will serve as examples for municipalities wanting to conserve water in their communities.

• Project WET- Project WET is an award winning teacher training program that educates teachers (elementary through high school) how to teach water issues to their students. Project WET has been taught in Rahway, East Greenwich and Egg Harbor Township. Teachers who finish the Project WET course become eligible for a $1500 grant to hold a Water Festival. Egg Harbor Township applied and received a grant and held their first student-run Water Festival on June 2.
  

  Teachers learning interactive activities to teach their students about water issues

• Water Conservation Table at the Belmar Sand Castle Day

  Publicity Events- Keeping visible is key in any behavioral change program. Therefore, the NJ Water Savers team, in cooperation with the Environmental Commissions of each town, has had a presence at community events in all towns including educational booths and give-a-ways that encourage water efficiency.

• Water Supply/ Conservation Videos- The NJ Water Savers program has partnered with NJ American Water to produce a series of videos. The first video, which was filmed in fall 2009, featured experts in the water supply field and provided a brief overview of the water supply issues in NJ. Two additional videos have also been produced featuring our WaterSense certifiable house and focus on both indoor and outdoor residential conservation. All videos are available for public use (schools, NGO's, environmental commissions, municipalities). Contact katie.barnett@dep.state.nj.us for your electronic copy."

What’s Next?
Now that the majority of the demonstration projects are on the ground and moving forward, the next phase of the overall water conservation project is ready to begin. This second phase will include the quantification of results and compilation of the data into case studies to be promoted Statewide. The results will be displayed on a stand-alone New Jersey water conservation website. The website will feature the multiple videos produced for this program, testimonials from communities that participated in our pilot programming, and downloadable case studies, fact sheets, and step by step guidelines for project replication. In addition to preparing the promotional website, additional marketing material will be developed and a series of regional workshops will be held to teach others about the lessons learned in the pilot program.

For more information on the NJ WaterSavers Program contact Katie Barnett at Katie.barnett@dep.state.nj.us or at 609-292-7219.

 

A special thanks to the below organizations for their support of the NJ Water Savers Program:
Logos for-American Standard, WA Birdsall, Doebly & Dad Construction, NJAW, Brickman Group, Rutgers Water Resources Program, EPA Region 2

 

 

Programs & Resources to Help You Conserve Water- EPA WaterSense

WaterSense is a partnership program sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency whose goal is to make it easy for Americans to save water and protect the environment. WaterSense offers the following programs, tools and resources:

WaterSense Labeled Products

Similar to the EPA EnergyStar program, WaterSense labels products that meet developed water efficiency and performance standards. When you use products bearing the WaterSense label, you can expect exceptional performance, savings on your water bills, and assurance that you are saving water for future generations. Look for the WaterSense label to choose quality, water-efficient products. Many products are available, and don't require a change in your lifestyle. To find out more about the WaterSense labeling program visit http://www.epa.gov/watersense/pp/index.htm.

WaterSense Educational Materials

WaterSense has also developed FREE educational materials for teachers. A Day in the Life of a Drop is a set of activities designed to help students in grades 3–5 understand the connections between the source of the water they use and the ways their water use habits affect the environment and human health. Students also learn how to reduce their impacts and engage family members. After completing the worksheets, students and families take the Pledge to Filter Out Bad Water Habits to demonstrate their commitment to saving water for the future. To access the materials go to http://www.epa.gov/watersense/water/drop.htm.

Water Efficiency Facts & Tips

The WaterSense program offers water efficiency facts and tips on how you can save water including facts on why water efficiency is important, answers to the most common water use questions, the monetary, environmental and health benefits of conserving water, and useful tips on how we can all use water more efficiently. To access this information go to http://www.epa.gov/watersense/water/index.htm.

WaterSense Partners

NJDEP is a WaterSense Partner! Find out how your company or organization can become a partner too!
Making water-efficient products the preferred choice among consumers will help preserve water supplies for future generations, save on utility bills, and protect the environment. EPA is partnering with manufacturers, retailers and distributors, local and state governments, utilities, water districts, trade associations, nonprofits, certified irrigation professionals, and professional certifying organizations to bring water-efficient products to markets and spread the word about the need for smart water use. Find out how to become a WaterSense partner at http://epa.gov/watersense/partners/join/index.htm.