Water Conservation

facts on water leaks from the EPA

ACSA Water Conservation Initiatives

At Albemarle County Service Authority (ACSA), we’re committed to promoting sustainable water use through a variety of conservation programs. Whether you’re looking to save water with our Toilet Rebate Program, reduce costs with low-flow fixtures or take advantage of our free water conservation kits, ACSA offers resources to help you conserve. Explore our initiatives to see how you can protect our community’s most precious resource — Albemarle water.

Did you know that toilets use up to 35% of the water in a typical home? Now imagine how much water is wasted by a leaky toilet — every drop adds up quickly! Beginning January 2025, ACSA is expanding one of our oldest initiatives, the Toilet Rebate Program, so customers are eligible for up to $150 rebate (previously $100) for replacing toilets that use 1.6 gallons per flush (gpf) or higher with a WaterSense labeled toilet, for a maximum of 3 toilets per house. 

Toilets purchased and/or installed after January 2025 are eligible for this expanded rebate. In order to participate, customers must complete and submit a toilet rebate form (below) to our administration department. ACSA must also pick up your old toilet in order for you to receive a rebate.

Please review our full Toilet Rebate Document or call the administration department at (434) 977-4511 for more details.

Residential Toilet Rebate ProgramMulti-Family and Non-Residential Properties Toilet Rebate Form

Our Rain Barrel Rebate Program offers you $30 for each rain barrel you purchase (up to two) and install at your home. Rain water harvested from the rain barrels can be used to water your lawn or garden, among several other uses.

Customers must complete and submit a rain barrel rebate form (below) to the administration department in order to receive a rebate.

Please call the administration department at 434-977-4511 for more details.

Rain Barrel Rebate Program

ACSA provides free water conservation kits to customers upon request. Conservation kits may include water-saving showerheads, water-saving faucet aerators, shower timers, water displacement bags, toilet dye kits to check for leaks and tips for conserving.

Updating old fixtures saves water and money. Consider that a conventional faucet uses up to seven gallons per minute (gpm). By simply adding an aerator, usage can be reduced to 1.5 to 2.5 gpm. A typical showerhead can use up to eight gallons per minute, but low-flow options bring that down to 2.5 gpm, helping you save water without compromising comfort. Save water used for flushing the toilet by adding a water displacement bag to the tank.

To pick up your free conservation kit, stop by ACSA today.

Conserve Water in Your Home

Do You Have a Leak?

A broken water main is a spectacular example of water loss; however, it is a loss that ACSA absorbs. The small (sometimes barely noticeable) leaks in your internal plumbing cost you money, as well as wasting an important resource; even a dripping faucet can “use” thousands of gallons a year. To calculate how much water an internal leak you may have is pouring down the drain, try this Drip Calculator provided by the American Water Works Association.

home water leak

If you have just filled your pool, started watering your garden, installed a dishwasher or increased the number of people in your home or business, you can expect a jump in your water usage. But a one-time activity (such as filling your pool) should not permanently increase your bill. Gradually increasing billed volume should alert you to the possibility of a leak in your system. When our meter readers notice a large jump in consumption from the previous month, you will receive a “leak letter” suggesting that you investigate.

Note that a 10 to 25% variation in water use is not unusual. However, if your volume (indicated by the graph on your bill) increases by at least 25% or continues to creep up, and you have no rational explanation, you should try the following:

  • Read the water meter, noting the position of the clock-style hand that records individual gallons.
  • Wait at least 15 minutes without using water.
  • Look at the meter again to see if the hand moved. If it did not, there are probably no leaks. Slow and intermittent leaks can be detected by waiting longer between readings.
  • If the meter hand did move, check all faucets for visible leaks.
  • Check toilets for leaks by adding food coloring to the water in the tank. Do not flush. Wait 15 minutes to see if the colored water appears in the toilet bowl. If it does, there is a leak.
  • If there appear to be no leaks inside your home, check outdoors for underground leaks. Turn off your main valve to the house. Open an indoor faucet to verify that the valve is working. The water flow should stop completely. Check the meter to see if it continues to run. If it does, there is a leak somewhere in your plumbing between the main valve and the meter.
  • Repeat the meter reading procedure after making all repairs to ensure that there are no more leaks.
leaf in lightbulb representing water conservation

How Do I Turn Off My Water

Knowing how and where to shut off your home’s main water supply is very important. Whether there’s a water emergency, a leak in your home or you just want to solve a simple plumbing problem, you may need to completely turn off your home’s water supply.

Find the spot where water enters the home, and you will find the shutoff valve nearby. Turn the valve clockwise (to the right). Keep in mind that even though you’ve now shut the mainline supply, there’s still water in the water pipes within your home, so it’s important to drain all the faucets until the water stops running. Be sure to instruct all capable members of the household about water shutoff procedures.