JAN/FEB 2016: On Tap

LOUDOUN WATER

ON TAP

www.loudounwater.org 44865 Loudoun Water Way Ashburn, VA 20147

LOUDOUN WATER UPDATE | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2016

LW CONNECT IS NOW AVAILABLE!

WINTER NEWS

PREPARING YOUR HOME PLUMBING FOR WINTER

Loudoun Water is pleased to announce LW Connect, is now available for our customers!

Loudoun Water invites you to register your account in LW Connect. Once you register, you will be able to: • VIEW YOUR BILL ONLINE • ENROLL IN AUTO-DEBIT • SIGN UP FOR PAPERLESS BILLING • SEE YOUR PAYMENT HISTORY • AND MORE! Go to www.loudounwater.org and click on the LW Connect logo to get started.

Have a question? Call our Customer Relations team for more information at 571-291-7880, Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. They’re happy to help!

FROZEN PIPES ARE ONE OF THE MOST EXPENSIVE RISKS HOMEOWNERS FACE.

It doesn’t take long for meters and pipes to freeze during cold spells, especially when temperatures dip below 32˚ F. If your pipes or meter freezes, you will not have water.

As we head into the coldest months of the year, it’s important to protect your pipes. Throughout this issue you’ll find tips for preventing frozen pipes as well as information regarding what to do in the event that your pipes freeze.

PROTECT YOUR PIPES: INDOOR WINTERIZATION Prepare for the Winter Cold Know the location of your main shut-off valve.

Minimize the potential for water damage by ensuring that everyone in the house knows how to shut off the water in an emergency and is able to quickly turn it off in an emergency. To help with this, Loudoun Water has a printable label that you can attach for easy identification.

Indoor Pipes Insulate pipes in unheated spaces with weatherproof sheathing. Hardware stores carry insulation designed to keep pipes in these areas from freezing. Open cabinet doors during cold spells so warm air can circulate around the pipes.

Faucets During very cold weather, keep a trickle of water running from faucets connected to pipes in unheated spaces.

Sinks Open cabinet doors below sinks to allow warm air to circulate around the pipes.

Garages Keep garage doors closed if there are water supply lines in the garage.

Thermostat Keep your home set no lower than 55˚ F. If you think you may have a frozen pipe or meter and have determined that it is not within the home, please contact Customer Service at 571-291-7880 (8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.). Always contact Loudoun Water before contacting a plumber.

MONITORING FOR LEAKS More than 1 trillion gallons of water are wasted in U.S. homes each year from easy-to-fix leaks. Leaks also contribute to high water bills. Easy leaks to check for include: Sinks Leaky sinks can be a major source of water waste, and cost you money. The trick to fixing a leaky faucet is to know what kind you have. Since each type of faucet requires different materials to fix the leak, it is best to consult your local hardware store for the most accurate information or parts you’ll need to fix it.

Toilets The toilet flapper is located at the bottom of the tank and seals the tank drain until the handle is pushed. If the seal is not tight, leakage can occur, resulting in the toilet unexpectedly refilling or making running water sounds. To check if the toilet flapper is working add a few drops of food coloring to the tank behind the bowl. Wait 10 minutes without flushing. If the color appears in the bowl, the flapper is likely defective or leaking.

Loudoun Water has free dye tablets available for customers to use upon request.

For further information regarding how to replace the toilet flapper, consult your local hardware store.

STEPS FOR THAWING A FROZEN PIPE Turn on a faucet located near the frozen pipe or water meter so you will see when the water starts flowing again.

Begin warming the pipes nearest the faucet and work toward the frozen section or the frozen water meter.

Blow warm air on the pipe or water meter using a hair dryer. Do not leave the hair dryer unattended or allow it to overheat.

NEVER USE A BLOWTORCH OR OPEN FLAME TO WARM PIPES OR A WATER METER. THIS IS A FIRE HAZARD THAT COULD CAUSE AN EXPLOSION.

Once water starts flowing again, turn on a nearby faucet to allow a pencil width-sized stream of water to flow from the faucet until heat is restored to the area.

Eliminate cold drafts and allow warm air to circulate around the pipes and the water meter to prevent them from freezing again.

MICROBEADS-FREE WATERS ACT OF 2015 SIGNED INTO LAW The Microbead-Free Waters Act of 2015 was signed into law in early December, requiring companies to stop using microbeads in their products by July 2017.

The microbeads are small, plastic bits often used in personal care a hygiene products as an exfoliant. These materials often slip through wastewater treatment systems and enter into waterways.

These microbeads can buildup in the waterways and are often mistaken by fish as food. If consumed, the chemicals found in synthetic plastic microbeads can then be passed through the food chain.

THE TOILET IS NOT A TRASHCAN “Flushable” wipes cause millions of dollars in damage to infrastructure in the United States each year. These items can accumulate in the sewer system and or get tangled in sewage pumps when flushed down the toilet, which can clog your home’s plumbing system and the sewer system.

Below is a list of items which should never be flushed down the toilet or washed down a sink.

Dispose of these items in the trash: • Cleaning wipes • Baby wipes • Feminine products • Paper towels • Facial tissue • Cotton swabs or cotton balls • Hair

WATER CONSERVATION IN WINTER Water use typically goes down for most families during the winter months due to the lack of outdoor water use. In addition to winterizing your home and regularly checking for leaks, there are a few simple indoor house projects that can help your family conserve.

Preparing for Spring Use this time to research the different kinds of trees, flowers and shrubs that are native to this area and that have low watering requirements.

This will get you ready in time for the spring planting season!

• Install aerators on bathroom faucets.

• Install a high-efficiency WaterSense toilet.

• When buying a new washer, look our for models that use less water and have higher efficiency.

Many local nurseries and home improvement stores have staff who can help identify the kind of plants that are best for your garden.

LOUDOUN WATER PARTNERS WITH LCPS Learning about watersheds, source water protection and conservation is part of many curriculums at the elementary, middle and high school levels in our area. To compliment what students have been learning in class, Loudoun Water wasv invited to visit several Loudoun County Public Schools last fall to share their watershed knowledge. Using a model, students were able to see how every action they take can affect the water sources around them.

Loudoun Water is proud to be able to support teachers and students in our service area by providing the tools, information and resources needed for Loudoun County Public School’s One to the World initiative.

Interested in having a Loudoun Water staff member visit your classroom or community group? Email us at aquiary@loudounwater.org for more information.

STAY CONNECTED Follow Loudoun Water online for water conservation tips, important service updates and more. Click on the icons below to check out our pages and stay connected:

IMPORTANT DATES Loudoun Water will be closed on the dates listed below. In the event of an emergency requiring immediate assistance, please call 571-291-7878.

Monday, January 18 Monday, February 15

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