Water Conservation

As stewards of the local water cycle, Olympic View Water & Sewer District is deeply committed to water conservation. Through active leak response and consistent system maintenance, the District maintains a water loss rate far below the Washington State maximum standard of 10%. Because this rate fluctuates annually, we invite you to view our latest Annual Water Quality Report for the most current data. By staying well ahead of state requirements, we continue to protect our region’s precious water supply against the pressures of growth and environmental change. These efforts do more than just secure our drinking water; they ensure our mountain rivers remain healthy for salmon, wildlife, and future generations.

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The District is a member of the Saving Water Partnership which is an organization comprised of 19 water utilities in King and Snohomish counties that share a common water source and the goal of reducing water consumption.

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Our community has achieved something incredible: even with 80% more people than in the late 1950s, we are using the same amount of water today as we did back then. This success is thanks to the dedicated conservation efforts of our residents and businesses. Looking ahead through 2028, the Saving Water Partnership aims to keep our regional use under 110 million gallons a day. By focusing on individual water efficiency, we can continue to support a growing population without increasing our total environmental footprint.

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Click here for information on current conditions of our regional water supply.

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We believe conservation is a partnership, so we provide complimentary water-saving items and supplies to help our customers take charge of their home efficiency. These resources include low-flow showerheads, replacement rubber washers to fix leaky faucets, and toilet dye strips to catch hidden leaks. By offering these essential supplies, we help our customers save water and money while preserving our region's most vital resource.

 

Common sources of water leaks:

• Toilets: A running toilet, usually due to a faulty, worn-out flapper or fill valve, is a top cause of silent leaks.

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• Faucets: Dripping sinks and showers are common due to damaged O-rings, gaskets, or washers from daily use.

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• Outdoor Systems: Cracked irrigation systems or outdoor faucets can leak, often caused by freezing temperatures or tree roots.

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• Service Lines: These buried pipes connect your home to the Olympic View water main; they are a frequent source of major leaks because aging materials corrode over time, and ground shifting or tree root intrusion can crack the line deep underground where leaks remain hidden for weeks.

 

What you can do indoors:

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• Toilets: Replace worn toilet flappers and consider replacing old toilets with newer water-saving models. Click here to learn more about rebates for replacing your old toilet.

• Faucets: Replace rubber washers and gaskets in your faucets, hoses and shower heads. 

• Use a dishwasher instead of washing by hand.

• Take showers instead of baths: a 4-5 minute shower uses roughly 10 gallons of water compared to up to 50 gallons for a bath.

• Take shorter showers: every minute is 2.5 gallons!

• Install energy efficient shower heads, toilets, and faucet nozzles.

• Turn off the tap while shaving or brushing teeth.

• Wash large loads of laundry and wait until your dishwasher is full to run it. If you've only got a few dirty plates or you're in a small household where it's not practical to wait until the dishwasher's full, you're better off washing in the sink. Just remember to turn off the water while you're scrubbing.

• When changing out your pet's water dish or draining the aquarium to clean, use the old water on house plants.

• During Winter months: Insulate exposed pipes and seal drafts.

• Pay close attention to your containers: unglazed terra cotta clay containers are beautiful, but they dry out quickly. Wherever possible, choose glazed ceramic, plastic, or other hard-material pots. 

 

What you can do outdoors:

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• Check irrigation systems for freeze damage, broken parts, and slow leaks (this tip can save schools and other municipal facilities thousands of dollars every year!) Unusually damp or green patches of grass can be the first sign of a leak. Inspect your irrigation system for leaks and breaks at least once a month while it is being used.

• Water early or late in the day to reduce evaporation. Avoid watering in the heat of the day and/or when it's windy.

• Apply water to the roots, not the foliage: Watering the roots reduces evaporation and the risk of plant disease. Using tools that direct water to the roots—like a water wand or a drip irrigation system—will help keep water where it is most useful.

• Water outdoor plants twice a week; apply directly by hand.

• Install drip irrigation for maximum watering efficiency.

• Apply a layer of mulch around plants to help retain water.

• Let your lawn go dormant: water deeply once a month to keep roots alive.

• Use a broom or ShopVac rather than a hose to clean sidewalks, driveways and patios, rather than hosing them down—this can save up to 150 gallons each time!

• Save pressure washing jobs until Fall rains return.

• Wash cars less often, at locations that recycle water.

• Turn off your garden hose at the faucet, not at the nozzle (nozzles are notorious for slow leaks).

 

Click here for tips saving water indoors.

 

Click here for tips saving water outdoors.

 

For more ways to save, visit the Saving Water Partnership. You’ll find practical conservation tips along with rebate offers for upgrading to water-efficient toilets and sprinkler systems.