Water Conservation

The Dedham-Westwood Water District is committed to encouraging customers to conserve water. To help achieve that goal, the following items are available to our customers at no charge. Stop by our office at 50 Elm Street, Dedham, to pick up:

Low flow shower-head and faucet aerators
Rain sensors for automatic lawn sprinkler systems
Leak detection tablets (used to see if your toilet has a silent leak). Food coloring also works just as well. Put a few drops in the toilet tank-not the bowl. Wait 15 minutes without flushing the toilet. If the dye color is visible in the bowl, there is a leak. Usually, the culprit is the flapper which periodically needs replacement or the overflow pipe.

Cold Weather Tips

Water conservation is just as important in the colder months as it is in the summer! Please consider following some of the suggestions recommended below.

TIP #1

Patch cracks and holes indoors, windows and walls to prevent cold air from reaching your pipes.

TIP #2

Turn off all outside faucets and drain the pipes. Bring garden hoses inside.

TIP #3

Insulate any pipes and faucets in unheated areas. Wrap insulation around pipes in crawl spaces, garages and basements.

TIP #4

Never use an open flame to thaw frozen pipes. A hairdryer, set on low, can be waved slowly along frozen pipes. If the pipe has already cracked it will leak as the ice thaws. Be prepared for this. You may have to shut off the master valve where the water comes into your home.

TIP #5

Do not leave a home unheated for an extended period of time unless you drain your pipes. Turning off the main valve will not prevent water already in the pipes from freezing. Have a friend or relative check your home while you are away.

TIP #6

Allow a slow trickle of water to flow through faucets connected to water pipes that run through unheated spaces.

Learn more indoor water conservation ideas from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs!

Seasonal Water Conservation Tips – Indoors and Outdoors

Warm Weather Tips

Conservation efforts are still necessary, despite the fact that the Water District joined the MWRA to purchase supplemental water. This additional water will help the District to maintain fire protection during high water use times. Please follow the tips below to help maintain a water supply adequate to meet our health and safety needs.

TIP #1

Lawn watering should be limited to two days per week. If you live in Dedham, you should limit watering to Mondays and Thursdays. If you live in Westwood, you should try to limit watering to Tuesdays and Fridays. One inch of water a week, including rainfall, is adequate. You can use a rain gauge or simply put out a tuna can to measure the amount of water from sprinkling or rainfall.

TIP #2

Set your lawn mower to two to three inches for the healthiest lawn. Use native grasses for local conditions – fescues do well in New England. Fertilize during the cooler months of spring and fall.

TIP #3

Use soaker hoses wherever possible. They are especially effective near shrubs and trees and prevent excessive evaporation.

TIP #4

If you have an automatic sprinkler system, add a moisture sensor. We will provide you one for free at our office! There are also many inexpensive models available. This will prevent the waste and expense of water when it is not needed. Make sure the sprinkler heads are aimed at landscaped areas only.

TIP #5

Water during the morning and evening hours to prevent evaporation which is increased during the hottest part of the day.

TIP #6

Consider alternatives to water dependent lawns when planning your landscaped areas. Ground covers and mulch can lower the need for watering. Test your soils to see if they are able to hold moisture well. Adding compost and peat will help to retain water while improving plant growth.

Information About Your Meter

For accurate meter readings and the safety of District employees, please keep the walkways to meter reading devices clear of ice and snow. Otherwise, your account will be estimated. If you have a fire hydrant in front of your home, never pile snow around it when shoveling or plowing. Clearing a space around the hydrant would be appreciated by your fire department and community.

District Headquarters

During Office Hours:

After Hours Emergency: