Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel

September 2009 - Do you have a leaky faucet in your kitchen, bathroom or maybe an outside spigot? These seemingly minute drips can turn into big financial problems if they are not taken care of quickly. The American Water Works Association has a “Drip Calculator” that gives quite an eye-opening realization of what the tiniest of water drips wastes over time. Using the rates shown on your water bill you can then determine exactly how much a leaky faucet really costs.

April 2009 - Ohio American Water customers in Franklin County now have a payment center available to them to pay their water bills in person. Located at the OAW Franklin County District Operations Office, 5481 Buenos Aires Blvd, Westerville, the payment center will be open 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. A nighttime deposit box is available to drop off payments at all other times. The center is only able to accept cash and checks for water bill payments.

April 2009 - Green Energy Ohio has been selected by the Sierra Club to administer a solar rebate program in Ohio. The program allows residential Ohioans who install a solar water heating system to receive a rebate of up to $2,400 for systems installed after April 1, 2009. Ohioans with qualifying systems can submit an application to Green Energy Ohio. For more information, including applications and how to participate, visit Green Energy Ohio online or call toll-free, 1-866-473-3664.

April 2009 - Do you know how much water you use on a daily basis? What about all of the water needed to grow your food or make the products you use regularly, like clothing or a computer? With more people concerned about the amount of freshwater systems available, the Water Footprint Network, a Dutch non-profit organization, has created a tool that will allow people to know their water footprint. A water footprint is not only the water you use directly for drinking, bathing and cooking but is also the water used indirectly such as what is needed to create any goods and services consumed. You can calculate your water footprint with an abbreviated or extended calculator.