Sediment and rust can collect in water mains. This can discolor water, cause undesirable tastes and odors, and over time impede the flow of water through the main. The mains are flushed by operating valves in the street and opening hydrants to force the flow of water in one direction to properly flush the water main.

Sediment and rust can collect in water mains. This can discolor water, cause undesirable tastes and odors, and over time impede the flow of water through the main. The mains are flushed by operating valves in the street and opening hydrants to force the flow of water in one direction to properly flush the water main.

Sediment and rust can collect in water mains. This can discolor water, cause undesirable tastes and odors, and over time impede the flow of water through the main. The mains are flushed by operating valves in the street and opening hydrants to force the flow of water in one direction to properly flush the water main.

Sediment and rust can collect in water mains. This can discolor water, cause undesirable tastes and odors, and over time impede the flow of water through the main. The mains are flushed by operating valves in the street and opening hydrants to force the flow of water in one direction to properly flush the water main.

Sediment and rust can collect in water mains. This can discolor water, cause undesirable tastes and odors, and over time impede the flow of water through the main. The mains are flushed by operating valves in the street and opening hydrants to force the flow of water in one direction to properly flush the water main.

Sediment and rust can collect in water mains. This can discolor water, cause undesirable tastes and odors, and over time impede the flow of water through the main. The mains are flushed by operating valves in the street and opening hydrants to force the flow of water in one direction to properly flush the water main.

Sediment and rust can collect in water mains. This can discolor water, cause undesirable tastes and odors, and over time impede the flow of water through the main. The mains are flushed by operating valves in the street and opening hydrants to force the flow of water in one direction to properly flush the water main.

If you have an irrigation system, chances are it has been dormant for the past several months. Take a few minutes to check your system for common problems, such as leaks or malfunctioning sprinkler heads. Just one broken sprinkler head could waste as much as 25,000 gallons of water and more than $90 over a six–month irrigation season.

Before you ramp up your watering this spring, spruce up your irrigation system by remembering four simple steps—inspect, connect, direct, and select:

• Inspect. Check your system for clogged, broken, or missing sprinkler heads. If you’re not the do–it-yourself type, go with a pro—look for an irrigation professional certified through a WaterSense labeled program to help you maintain your system.
• Connect. Examine points where the sprinkler heads connect to pipes or hoses. If water pools in your landscape or you have large wet areas, you could have a leak in your system. A leak about as small as the tip of a ballpoint pen (1/32^nd of an inch) can waste as much as 6,300 gallons of water per month.
• Direct. Are you watering the driveway, house, or sidewalk instead of your yard? Redirect sprinklers to apply water only to the landscape.
• Select. An improperly scheduled irrigation controller can waste a lot of water and money. Update your system’s schedule with the seasons, or select a WaterSense labeled controller to take the guesswork out of scheduling.

Don’t forget to add “sprinkler spruce–up” to your spring cleaning list this year. Learn more about maintaining a water–smart yard.

The WaterSense Current
Issue XXVI, Spring 2013

Sediment and rust can collect in water mains. This can discolor water, cause undesirable tastes and odors, and over time impede the flow of water through the main. The mains are flushed by operating valves in the street and opening hydrants to force the flow of water in one direction to properly flush the water main.

 “This sort of activity increases in the spring and occurs everywhere in Connecticut. Customers should be suspicious of anyone who unexpectedly comes to their door claiming to be from the Regional Water Authority requesting to check the pipes, water pressure or valves or get a water sample,” said Regional Water Authority Police Captain Paul M. Schilling. “Do not open the door to this person. Ask them to show you their Regional Water Authority employee photo identification card. If the person at your door doesn’t show you an identification card or give you time to examine it, do not let them in your home.”  Employees of the Regional Water Authority wear clothing bearing the company logo and the customer should also see a company car or truck with the Regional Water Authority logo parked outside. It is extremely rare that an RWA employee will come to a home without an appointment, but if they do, the employee will always have a company-issued photo ID.

You can verify that the individual is an employee of the Regional Water Authority by calling the Authority’s Customer Service Department at 203-562-4020. If there is any question in your mind as to whether any individual is a Regional Water Authority employee, call your local police department immediately.