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FREE Water Saving Kits for Marlborough Residents   

If your showerhead is more than 2 gallons per minute (gpm) and faucet aerators are more than 1.5 gpm you can ask for a free water saving kit.  NOTE:  gpm is stamped on the fixture.  Look closely! 

Free water-saving kits are available at the Marlborough Department of Public Works from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM in the Billing/Payroll Office at 135 Neil Street.  One kit per household. Kits can include low-flow showerheads, faucet aerators, toilet tank dams and leak-detecting dye tabs, and outdoor hose nozzles.  

The MWRA also provides free water-saving kits (without hose nozzle) and will mail it to your home for free.  Just print out the MWRA Water-saving fixture request form (pdf) and mail or fax the completed form to:

          Elaine Donahue, MWRA
          Charlestown Navy Yard, 100 First Avenue - Building 39
          Boston, MA 02129

          Telephone: (617) 242–SAVE      Fax: (617)788-4888 

For more information go to: http://www.mwra.state.ma.us/04water/html/watsense.htm  

Check for Leaks

Leaks account for 13%+ of our water use!  Use a blue dye tablet from the water saving kit or drip a little soy sauce in the toilet tank.  If the toilet bowl changes color within 10 minutes, you have a silent leak! See the chart* below to see how those leaks and drips add up.

Indoor Water Saving Tips

• Turn off the faucet when you brush your teeth.
• Don't let water run; keep a jug of water in the fridge for a cool drink.         
• Take shorter showers, like three minutes.
• Check for and fix leaky toilets and faucets.
• Run the dishwasher and the washing machine with full loads only.
• If you wash dishes by hand, don’t leave the water running.
• Don’t let the faucet run while you clean food.
• Install water-saving shower heads and faucet aerators.
• Install toilet water dams.

 Outdoor Water Saving Tips

• Sweep sidewalks and driveway with a broom instead of a hose.
• Water your lawn only when it needs it. Water before 7am or after 7pm. Don’t water the sidewalk or driveways. Plant drought-resistant trees and plants. Put a layer of mulch around trees and plants. Check for leaks on outside faucets.  Put shut-off nozzles on all of your hoses. Cover pools and spas to stop evaporation.

Rain Barrels

Lots of outdoor water use can be saved with rain barrels. Rain barrel information is at www.NErainbarrel.com

Tap and Bottled Water 

Tap water is often healthier than bottled water and better for the environment.  If you are worried about tap water, get a water filter.  Bottled water uses fuel for production and transportation, and many bottles are not recycled.  Water Bottle Tip:  Buy a different, beautiful, durable, reusable water bottle for each member of the family.

How about drinking tap water in Marlborough? 

Marlborough tap water is good, but if you are worried about your pipes or tap water, get it tested. Older homes may have lead soldering and should have water tested.

A local lab is:      Microbac Lab., Inc.
                          148 Bartlett St.
                          Marlborough, MA 07152
                          Telephone: 508-460-7600
                          Contact: Nancy Burnett

For a list of more labs go to http://www.mwra.state.ma.us/04water/html/testinglabs.html 

Interesting Facts

How much water do we use in the average home? Look at this pie chart and find out!  

Read about indoor water use at

   http://www.epa.gov/watersense/pubs/indoor.htm

   Learn how to save water at

   http://www.epa.gov/watersense/water/index.htm

       GreenMarlborough.Org   2007