Conservation Tools
Conservation Tools
The Clackamas River Water Providers have a number of FREE conservation devices to help you save water at home. To request any of the devices listed below, please order online or call 503-723-3511.
Performing an audit on your water use will help you understand where you can save the most water. This process is simple and may take an hour to complete. It will help you locate leaks, prioritize fixing them, and help you start saving money and water.
Water Audit Kits
Includes:
- Audit Kit Instructions – This brochure will guide you through a home water audit, allowing you to find out where you’re using the most water and where savings can be achieved.
- Flow Meter Bag – The audit kit will come in a flow meter bag. Use the bag to measure how much water your household fixtures use – kitchen faucet, showerhead, bathroom faucet, etc. Then, use the Audit Kit Instructions to calculate potential savings if you replaced your fixtures with low-flow devices.
- Drip Gauge – Use this to measure drips around your house. Even a seemingly small drip can waste a lot of water. Learn more about fixing faucet or toilet leaks.
- Leak Detection Tablets – Here’s a simple way to test your toilet for leaks. Lift off the toilet tank lid. Without flushing, place 2 dye tablets (or 10 drops of food coloring) in the toilet tank. Wait 10 minutes. If color appears in the bowl, the toilet has a leak.
Leak Detection Tablets
Leak detection tablets are small tablets that you drop in the tank of the toilet to test your toilet for leaks. Learn more about fixing faucet or toilet leaks.
Toilet Fill Cycle Diverter
When a toilet is flushed, both the tank and the bowl need to be refilled. On many toilet designs, the bowl will fill sooner than the tank. In this case, the water will continue to run into the bowl until the tank water level is high enough to shut off the fill valve. Water that enters the bowl after it is full simply overflows down the drain and is wasted. The fill cycle diverter directs more water to the tank and less to the bowl during refill. The goal is to have both the tank and the bowl finish filling at the same time, or as close to the same time as possible. Estimated savings are ½ gallon per flush (gpf).
Toilet Displacement Bag (OUT OF STOCK)
Simply fill this bag with water and rest it in your toilet tank. By taking up space in your tank, less water is needed to refill the tank after each flush. Estimated savings are ½ gallon per flush (gpf). Not recommended for 1.6 gpf toilets (1992 and later).
1.0 gpm Bathroom faucet aerator
An aerator reduces the amount of water that comes from the tap without impacting water pressure. The aerator in this kit attaches to a bathroom sink faucet and uses only 1.0 gallon per minute (gpm).
Kitchen Faucet Aerator
An aerator reduces the amount of water that comes from the tap without impacting water pressure. This aerator is for your kitchen or utility sink, and flows at 1.5 gallons per minute (gpm).
1.0 gpm Bathroom Shower Head
This shower Head reduces the amount of water that comes from the tap without impacting water pressure and uses only 1.0 gallons of water per minute (gpm).
5-minute Shower Timer
Taking a shorter shower, in combination with using a low-flow showerhead, can result in significant savings. This timer suctions on to your shower wall, and when all the sand has run through, time’s up! (Note: This device does not “shut off” the water after 5 minutes, although many parents of teenagers have asked for this feature!)
Watering Gauge
Use this watering gauge to measure total rainfall and/or sprinkler output during a given period of time. Simply place the gauge in an area that you regularly water (make sure it’s free of obstructions so it will collect all water, whether from rainfall or irrigation). Keep in mind: Most lawns need 1 inch of water per week. So, if it rains 3/4 of an inch in one week, you only need to irrigate an additional 1/4 inch that week.
Water Miser Garden Hose nozzle
Six-position garden hose nozzles save water through peak efficiency settings. Instant On/off control, spray adjustment knob, rust resistant with high-efficiency design.
Guidebook: Water-Efficient Plants for the Willamette Valley
The Water-Efficient Plants for the Willamette Valley is an excellent resource for novice and experienced gardeners.