Why Water Conservation is Critical to our System
Groundwater Withdrawal Limits and Meeting Real-Time Demand
Tauxemont has annual and monthly limits on the groundwater we draw from our aquifer source. These are legal water withdrawal limits and TCA must remain within them. If not, TCA is subject to fines (from one to several thousand dollars) for exceeding our legally-permitted volume (under increased civil penalties, adopted by the state, that are intended to improve conservation of natural water supplies, including our aquifer).
Every TCA waterworks customer is responsible for conservation of our water, year round. To relate TCA water user rates to our system’s annual limits - approx. 250 gallons are available, per house, per day. An average U.S. household (defined as single family dwelling with 2.5 baths and 4 people) with modern water appliances uses about 140 gallons of water a day for indoor uses. This provides some perspective on the need to reduce indoor water consumption.
Outdoor water use, especially during the hot, dry summer months of May thru October, requires even more prudence. During this peak season, demand can easily spike with the additional watering of lawns, gardens, and plants. Not only does this cause our withdrawal amount to increase, but the potential for a temporary well condition known as the ‘Cone of Depletion’ increases as well. This condition happens when water levels drop rapidly due to a large drawdown (such as if all water users watered their lawns and gardens at the same time) and the inability of the aquifer surrounding the well intake to replenish water quickly enough to meet demand. This depletion condition would impact the entire community. To help ensure that this does not occur, all waterworks customers are responsible for following our ‘Odd/Even House Number Watering’ program below.
TCA strives to meet real-time demand for water supply at any given time. Tauxemont community members work together to understand, protect, and manage our water production. Every water users’ conservation efforts, year-round, are critical in helping TCA meet that need and help TCA remain within its legal limits for water withdrawal.
Water Conservation Responsibilities
1. Keep your daily water usage within your limits (approx. 250 gallons, per house, per day). To help you meet this goal (combined indoor and outdoor use) TCA recommends following the guidelines of these two water conservation programs:
a. EPA’s WaterSense Program (www.epa.gov/watersense) - provides information for indoor and outdoor conservation, including updating bathroom fixtures with WaterSense-labeled products, and steps to creating a water-smart landscape.
b. Alliance for Water Efficiency (www.home-water-works.org) - offers a Water Calculator to help you understand how and where you can use less water, along with simple tips for helping you use water efficiently, inside and outside, every day.
2. Follow our ‘Odd/Even House Number Watering’ program. Odd-numbered houses water lawns and gardens only on odd-numbered days; even-numbered houses water lawns and gardens only on even-numbered days). Following this staggered system from May through October enables us to reduce demand on the system and avoid depletion conditions from over-withdrawal.
3. Fill swimming pools with commercially-purchased water. To fill an empty swimming pool, initially or after a repair, water must be purchased from a commercial provider. Thereafter, pools may be ‘topped off’ with Tauxemont water during evening hours or during non-peak usage times (before May 15 or after October 15).
4. Follow our ‘Water Conservation and Efficiency Tips’ (below).
Prohibition of In-Ground Automatic Sprinkler Systems
Statistics show that homes with in-ground automatic sprinkler systems use approximately 50% more water outdoors than homes without, with much of the water wasted in run-off and pooling. Because TCA must stay within annual groundwater withdrawal limits set by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, the Board of Directors of Tauxemont Community Association adopted a new policy on in-ground, automatic irrigation systems on September 22, 2019. The policy states:
TCA Water Users are prohibited from using Tauxemont water to supply in-ground, automatic sprinkler systems not installed and operational as of September 22, 2019.
Waterworks customers who wish to install and use an in-ground, automatic sprinkler system for watering your landscapes must obtain water from a separate source to do so. Additionally, you must notify the TCA Board or Water Committee Chair 30 days in advance of the in-ground system installation to allow sufficient time to work with the water committee to identify the location of existing connections and pipes to the home to ensure that there is no disruption in Tauxemont water service to the homeowner or community.
Waterworks customers who use an in-ground automatic system installed before September 22, 2019 – or customers who purchase a property with a system installed before September 22, 2019 and choose to use it – should ensure that your system clock is set to the TCA’s Odd/Even Watering schedule. Also, ensure that 1. sprinkler heads are low volume and properly-aligned to target specific growing zones and away from hardscape in order to minimize run-off; 2. you are using rain sensors; 3. your system has no leaks; and 4. watering times are no longer than 15-30 minute intervals. TCA recommends that you have your system reviewed by a professional certified by the EPA’s WaterSense program to ensure conservation measures are being taken to reduce water use, run-off, and pooling. Please note that additional limitations on the use of existing in-ground systems may be adopted to further comply with TCA’s withdrawal limits.
Conserving Water and Maintaining Tauxemont’s Unique Landscape
Water utilities throughout the U.S. are struggling with the demands of outdoor watering, adopting limits on lawns and irrigation systems. According to the Water Research Foundation, outdoor use is about 50,000 gallons on average a year, per household, with landscaping. Better landscaping techniques (that minimize turf grass in favor of drought-resistant grasses and plants) and reduced use of auto-timed irrigation systems are the primary means identified to reduce outdoor use.
Creating and maintaining a water-smart landscape is not only a conservation measure, but part of the Tauxemont philosophy. Since it’s establishment over 75 years ago, Tauxemont’s charm has lied in it’s unique landscape, and Tauxemonters have worked to preserve our community’s beautiful, wooded landscape.
Minimizing turfgrass areas and incorporating native grasses and plants that are able to withstand drought is the backbone of Tauxemont’s natural beauty. Caring for aging trees and planting new native trees helps maintain our shade canopy and prevent ground erosion. Landscaping choices favoring permeable materials over impervious surfaces allow for natural water retention. Consider Xeriscaping - the process of landscaping or gardening that reduces or eliminates the need for supplemental water from irrigation.
Following the guidelines provided by the EPA WaterSense’s program (www.epa.gov/watersense) and Alliance for Water Efficiency’s project (www.home-water-works.org) for water-smart landscaping - or engaging a professional certified by the EPA’s WaterSense program to evaluate the irrigation system design and ensure that conservation measures are taken to reduce water use, run-off, and pooling - makes it possible for every Tauxemonter to help keep our unique landscape thriving.
Tauxemont’s trees and lush vegetation make our environment healthier. For guidance with landscaping that nurtures your property as well as community property, we suggest visiting Plant NOVA Natives online (www.plantnovanatives.org), an excellent resource for learning about plants native to our region and the benefits and beauty of using them in your landscape. The site also includes a comprehensive list of landscaping solutions, as well as a three-part webinar series on stormwater solutions.
Water Conservation Guidelines & Efficiency Tips
Outside Your Home
1. Limit watering time to 30 minutes using a timer. Use simple, low-cost metering devices (available from a hardware store) that limit watering times automatically to 15-30 minute intervals; or use a kitchen timer. Do not leave watering unattended or unmetered for more than 30 minutes.
2. Use a water-conserving soaker hose (drip irrigation) in the evening for targeted, effective watering. Or use a sprinkler designed to release big drops close to the ground (avoid oscillating models or ones that throw water high in the air or release a fine mist).
3. Avoid outdoor watering during the hottest part of the day or when it is windy to minimize water losses from evaporation.
4. Use tree ‘gators’ (refillable, slow drip bags) for irrigating new young trees.
5. Collect rainwater in rain barrels to use for watering plants and gardens. To learn how to harvest water in barrels, attend Build-Your-Own workshops, or purchase a pre-made barrel visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/soil-water-conservation/rain-barrel.
6. Re-use ‘gray’ water from dishwashing, etc. to water plants and gardens.
7. Use a broom, not a water a hose, to clean sidewalks and driveways.
8. Avoid excessive watering. Virginia’s clay soil can only absorb about one inch of water per week, so using this small amount will keep native landscapes lush and prevent runoff from over-watering. Aerate clay soil yearly in order to help the soil retain moisture.
9. For turf grass, maintain a lawn height of 2-1/2” to 3” to help protect the roots from heat stress and reduce the loss of moisture to evaporation. Promote deep root growth (requiring less water and results in more resistance to drought and disease) through a combination of proper watering, aerating, appropriate fertilization, thatch (grass clippings) control, and lawn height.
10. Avoid planting turf in areas that are difficult to irrigate properly such as steep inclines and isolated strips along sidewalks and driveways.
11. Reduce your amount of lawn (turf grass) and plant drought-tolerant and climate-adapted plants and grasses.
12. Grow a natural landscape that can withstand hot, dry summers in our clay soil. Designing a WaterSmart landscape that minimizes turfgrass areas and incorporates native grasses and plants is recommended by TCA. Guidelines for creating a beautiful, healthy, and easy to maintain landscape are on the websites of the EPA’s WaterSense Program (www.epa.gov/watersense/outdoors), the Alliance for Water Efficiency’s project (www.home-water-works.org/landscape-irrigation), Plant NOVA Natives (www.plantnovanatives.org), and the Spruce’s Guide to Xeriscape Landscaping (www.thespruce.com/xeriscape-landscaping-meaning-2131129).
13. When choosing plants, keep in mind that smaller ones require less water to become established.
14. Mulch around plants, bushes and trees to help the soil retain moisture, discourage the growth of weeds, and provide essential nutrients.
15. Plant in the Spring or Fall, when watering requirements are lower.
16. Read the landscaping advice in our community’s monthly newsletter!
Inside Your Home
In the Bathroom:
1. Place a brick or a water bottle filled with water or pebbles inside your toilet flush tank to reduce the amount of water per flush.
2. Replace older fixtures with water-saving (and energy-saving) Energy Star models (this could reduce our water usage by 25%, or 5,000 gallons per day, community-wide).
3. Fix dripping faucets (which can waste about 2,000 gallons of water a year) and leaking toilets (leaky toilets can waste as much as 200 gallons a day).
4. Take shorter showers. Use a timer to keep showers to 5 minutes and under.
5. Invest in WaterSense shower heads, toilets, and faucets and save over 16,000 gallons of water a year.
6. Turn off the water while brushing your teeth, shaving, and washing your hair.
In the Kitchen/Laundry:
1. Run your dishwasher and clothes washer only when there’s a full load. View more tips at www.home-water-works.org/water-conservation-tips/home.
2. If washing dishes and pots by hand, turn the water off when you’re not rinsing.
3. Wash fruits and vegetables in a pot of water rather than running water over them.
4. Cook food in as little water as possible.
5. Re-use dropped ice cubes by placing them in a house plant.
6. Re-use ‘gray’ water from dishwashing, etc. to water plants and gardens.
7. Defrost frozen food in the refrigerator or in the microwave instead of under running water.
Water Conservation Resources
EPA WaterSense Program - www.epa.gov/watersense. This program provides information on choosing WaterSense labeled products that conserve water in and around your home. View ‘Watering Wisely Tips’ for irrigation system conservation, and ‘Irrigation with a Pro’ to find certified irrigation professionals.
EPA WaterSense Program/How We Use Water - www.epa.gov/watersense/how-we-use-water. View statistics on U.S. household indoor water use and understand your own use.
EPA WaterSense Program/Outdoors - www.epa.gov/watersense/outdoors. Simple steps for creating a water-smart landscape that’s beautiful, healthy, and easy to maintain.
‘Water Use It Wisely’ - www.wateruseitwisely.com. 100+ Conservation Tips and more. Tips for kids too!
Water Footprint Calculator - www.watercalculator.org/footprints/water-conservation-efficiency/. Learn the difference between water conservation and efficiency, plus lots of other water use and savings information.
Water Research Foundation - www.waterrf.org/PublicReportLibrary/4309A.pdf. This 2016 report to water providers demonstrates the need for lower water use for single-family homes.
Alliance for Water Efficiency Home Water Works project - www.home-water-works.org. This organization’s website is chock-full of water conservation tips for inside and outside of your home, including a Water Calculator.
Alliance for Water Efficiency Home Water Works project - www.home-water-works.org/water-conservation-tips/home. Tips for residential water savings.
Plant NOVA Natives - www.plantnovanatives.org. A guide to native plants and landscaping solutions geared to our specific landscape.
U.S. Dept. of the Interior - offers this publication on weather- and soil moisture-based irrigation technology: www.usbr.gov/watersmart/docs/2018/6thEd_WeatherSoilMoistureBasedLandscapeIrrigationSchedulingDevices.pdf
Association of Professional Landscape Designers - recommends alternatives to traditional lawns that require less water, chemicals, and maintenance in these two publications: www.apld.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Lawns_brochure.pdf and www.apld.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Guidelines-Environmental-Brochure.pdf.
WSSC - www.wsscwater.com/customer-service/rates/water-usage.html. This web page shows outdoor water consumption rates for sprinklers and automatic irrigation systems, and indoor consumption rates of daily activities.
Virginia Cooperative Extension - www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/426/426-713/426-713.html. A Guide for creating a Water-Wise landscape.
Fairfax County - www.fairfaxcounty.gov/soil-water-conservation/rain-barrel. Instructions and workshops for creating a rain barrel to capture rainwater.
Additional resources can be found on the Well Water System page of this website.