LOUDOUN WATER
www.loudounwater.org 44865 Loudoun Water Way Ashburn, VA 20147
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LOUDOUN WATER UPDATE | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015
PROTECT YOUR PIPES THIS HOLIDAY SEASON Overflows and sewer backups are commonly caused by fats, oil and grease (FOG). FOG gets into the sewer from household drains and neglected grease interceptors at businesses such as restaurants. The FOG blocks sewer pipes, causing health hazards and leading to expensive fixes. Many plumbers say emergency calls almost double the day after major holidays. Using the garbage disposal does not alleviate FOG from entering your drain and sticking to the sides of your pipes leading from the house to the street. Likewise, the dishwasher only cleans dishes, it does not remove grease. Running hot water down the sink with the grease only pushes the grease further down the pipes. When cooking, remember to protect your pipes and keep the following out of the dishwasher and out of the drain!
FATS BUTTER SHORTENING MARGARINE PEANUTBUTTER MEAT TRIMMINGS
SOLID AT ROOM TEMPERATURE
OILS VEGETABLE OIL CANOLA OIL OLIVE OIL SALAD DRESSING COOKING OIL
LIQUID AT ROOM TEMPERATURE
GREASE BACON FAT SAUSAGE FAT GRAVY MAYONNAISE
LIQUID WHEN COOKING AND SOLID WHEN COOLED
n o s a e S e e r F Clog PROTECT YOUR PIPES FOR A
1.SCRAPE & WIPE PLATES
Remove the leftovers and grease before they even hit the sink.
2.STRAIN IT, DON’T DRAIN IT Catch the rest before they go down the drain and toss them in the trash.
3.FREEZE GREASE & BIN IT
Pour any grease and oils in an empty can and put it in the trash when it’s solid and cool.v
PROTECT YOUR PIPES: FLUSHABLE WIPES It’s a common misnomer that “flushable” wipes can go in the toilet. These wipes cause millions of dollars in damage to infrastructure in the United States each year. Wipes do not break down like traditional toilet paper which then requires crews to unclog pipes and pumps as well as replace and upgrade machinery. Help protect your pipes and ours by keeping wipes out of the toilet.
PROTECT YOUR PIPES: WINTERIZATION Freezing pipes are one of the most expensive risks homeowners face. Know the location of your main water 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. To help with this, Loudoun Water has a printable label that you can attach for easy identification.
Faucets - During very cold weather, keep a trickle of water running from faucets connected to pipes in unheated spaces.
Outdoor faucets- Disconnect all garden hoses and drain the water that remains in faucets.
Irrigation - Make sure you’ve turned off and fully drained your system. Many companies recommend owners turn off water from inside, drain the water out of the system and release the air pressure.
Indoor pipes Insulate pipes in unheated spaces and keep cabinet doors open during cold spells.
Shut-off valve Know the location of your main shutoff valve.
Thermostat Keep your home temperature set no lower than 55F. 55 F
CLEAN WATER ICE REMOVAL When storms are forecast, people purchase deicing salt and apply it to their roads, sidewalks and driveways. While this may seem like the best solution, the salt eventually melts the snow and the mixture then enters storm drains. From here, the salt travels to our streams as untreated, polluted runoff which is not good for plants and wildlife. There is often a disruption to freshwater organisms after a snow storm due to the high use of sodium and chloride ions, which are the result of salt dissolving. Tips to remember when removing ice this season: Traction, Not Melting Alternatives like sand, sawdust and kitty litter help to increase traction, which salt fails to do. Salt Early, Not Late Pay attention to the weather forecast to know when is the right time to lay down salt. If you’re going to salt, apply it just before the snow falls. This helps prevent snow from sticking on the ground. If you apply salt too late, or after it has already started to lay on the ground, you’ll get less
of a benefit. Be “Pet-Friendly” Just because the bag of salt says “ecofriendly” or “safe” doesn’t mean it necessarily is the best solution. Look for products that are pet-friendly. It’s more likely to be safe for plants and people – causing less polluted run-off. Avoid Sodium Chloride It may cheaper, but this chemical concoction disrupts the salinity of water, harming fish and animals as well as eroding soil and damaging trees and vegetation. Look for products containing magnesium chloride instead!
UPDATE: POTOMAC WATER SUPPLY PROGRAM To accommodate for future demand for clean, safe drinking water in Loudoun county, the Potomac Water Supply Program was developed to sustainably expand water supply capacity for future generations to come.
Below are progress photos of our future Trap Rock Water Treatment Facility.
AUGUST 2015
SEPTEMBER 2015
As of September 2015, construction of the Raw Water Intake and Potomac Raw Water Pumping Station in Leesburg was 50 percent complete. Contractors will continue to place concrete, pipe installation and structural work at the pump station, tunnel, shaft and river bank vault. Construction is scheduled to be completed in 2016 with startup and commissioning of the facilities in 2017. Monthly updates are posted on the Loudoun Water website under “Current Projects.�
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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. November 25 at noon November 26 November 27 December 24 December 25 January 1