Hamlet Condominium Association

Let’s Reduce Our Water Costs

Dec 09, 2001

The largest component of our monthly association dues is water expense, which continues to increase. This table shows percentage of costs for billable items:

ITEM / % of MONTHLY BILL / % 2002 INCREASE
Water / 40% / 6%
Sewer / 20% / 2%
Storm Water / 40% / 45%


The HCA pays for all water used by occupants of each unit and the Community Building, as well as water for lawn, tree and shrub care. Hamlet units do not have separate water meters, so each unit shares water cost equally as part of our monthly dues. (See table on page 1.)

To help minimize future dues increases, here are some water conservation tips from various sources:

When brushing your teeth, use a glassful of water instead of running the faucet. Savings: As much as 3 or more gallons per brushing.

Take showers instead of baths. (A bathtub holds up to 50 gallons of water; a typical shower requires less than 20 gallons.)

Try to limit your shower time to five minutes and use water-saving showerheads.

When filling the bathtub for a bath, close the drain before running the water. The initial cold water from the hot water faucet will be heated by the warm water that soon follows.

In the shower or at the kitchen sink, collect all the water that might be wasted while you wait for the hot water to reach your showerhead or faucet. Use this water for your houseplants or outdoor planters.

Do not use your toilet as a trash can. Flush only when absolutely necessary.

Wash only full loads of laundry and dishes.

Minimize faucet use when shaving and washing dishes.

Don?’t pre-rinse dishes if your dishwasher doesn?’t require it.

When washing dishes by hand, fill the sink with soap and water instead of running the water the entire time.

Fix leaking faucets and toilets. (According to research statistics, an average of 8% of home
water use is water wasted through leaks.)

Tip for testing for a toilet leak:
Put a few drops of food coloring in the tank. Wait a few minutes, and then look in the toilet bowl. If the food coloring appears there, you have a leak.

Thaw frozen foods in the refrigerator or microwave oven, not under running water.

Keep water in the refrigerator for a cold drink instead of running the faucet until the water cools.