Service Line Warranties of America (SLWA) loves sharing homeowner tips and news with you – our customers. As we close out 2015, here’s a recap of some our favorite and most popular blog articles this year.

January
Water can be very destructive. In Tulsa, Oklahoma, a broken water main created a 30-foot geyser that destroyed a gas station in minutes.

February
Frozen pipes happen! Do you know what to do? Here are a few tips to avoid a frozen disaster.

March
SLWA advisor Jim Hunt weighs in on one of the most frequently asked questions – why does SLWA only partner with cities? One word – TRUST!

April
Earth Day is observed every April, but do you really know what it’s about or how to celebrate?

May
Do you need a permit for that? Some home improvement projects require City approval before you begin. Check the list before you plan your next project.

June
Don’t pollute your drinking water! We shared simple tips for keeping your water resources contaminant-free!

July
Put your landscape on a water diet and help conserve water. Here are a few tips to help.

August
When Los Angeles flooded their reservoir with tiny balls, the mesmerizing video took the internet by storm. The city hopes the $34 million investment will help conserve their water.

September
SLWA was proud to receive the 2015 West Virginia Municipal League Conservation Award at their annual conference. The award signifies SLWA’s commitment to water conservation and the environment throughout the state of West Virginia, but really throughout the nation.

October
We love to hear from happy customers when our team really helped out. The O’Briens were one family out of the many customers who received service in 2015 and were pleased with their experience.

November
We asked and you answered! See what our customers are saying around the nation about SLWA!

We can’t create water, but we can reuse it.

As drought continues to affect many areas, even through the winter, researchers have developed new ways to clean and reuse water.

Grey water isn’t a new term, but it’s certainly gained more attention recently. But what is it? Grey water is the recycled water from showers, baths and washing machines. It is cloudy in appearance, but not as dark as sewage water.

Some communities are installing systems to trap grey water before it enters sewage systems for treatment. Researchers have determined that this recycled wastewater is safe for some uses. Grey water can be used for irrigation on gardens, lawns, flower beds and other areas.

Through the use of grey water systems, communities can reduce their overall water consumption, especially during the warmer months. Homeowners can water the lawns and gardens frequently without worrying about additional costs since they’ll create a water supply every time they shower and wash laundry.

Although recycled grey water is safe for gardens and lawns, it’s not safe for consumption or for watering food plants. No harmful chemicals are involved in the filtration process and in many instances, grey water has proven to aid in the reclamation of nutrients in topsoil.

For more information about grey water and its uses, visit Home and Garden, WiseGeek, and Greywater Action.

You wouldn’t pour harmful chemicals into your glass of drinking water; but without realizing it, you could be poisoning your drinking water with everyday habits.

Clean Up After Fido

Not picking up after your pet on a walk is not only ill-mannered, it can also contaminate ground water. During heavy rain, the animal feces can wash into storm water management systems, which lead to waterways. This waste can encourage algae and weed growth, which in turn can clog waterways and kill fish. The EPA has included dog waste in the same category as toxic waste because it has become such a problem.

Face and Body Wash

You know that body wash infused with microbeads that makes a great exfoliator? They also look like food to fish. When you wash microbeads down the drain, many waste treatment plans can’t remove the tiny beads and they end up in the waterways where fish eat them. When fish ingest the beads, they are passed through to us when we eat the fish – along with the toxins.

Cooking

Don’t just throw that pan in the sink. Be sure to dispose of all cooking oil and grease in the garbage, not down the drain. While it might be a liquid now, it will solidify and clog your pipes, causing you a lot of problems.

Don’t Flush the Wipes

Sure, we like the feel of a wet wipe, but it doesn’t belong in your sewer system. Wipes don’t dissolve in water like toilet paper and can create massive problems in sewer systems. Always throw wipes in the trash.

Don’t Flush Those Meds!

Remember when you were told to flush medication so it wouldn’t fall into the wrong hands or poison someone – well it did! Medication flushed down the toilet will end up in the drinking water supply, creating exposure to antibiotics, antidepressants and other drugs. Additionally, medication could be ingested by fish, causing even more problems. Take all medications to a “Take-Back” program.

Want more ways to protect your water sources? Check out these additional tips.