Why Hot Water Doesn't Last Through Two Showers

Two roommates think something is wrong with their water heater because there is never enough hot water for both of them to take showers.

They said they each spend about 10 minutes in the shower.

A 10 minute shower uses 50 gallons of water. The average water heater holds about 50 gallons, so the first person in the shower gets enough hot water. But the second roommate has an issue if they want to take their 10 minute shower immediately afterward or at the same time in another bathroom. It takes two hours for an electric water heater to fully recover and reheat another 50 gallons.

This is one of the clear advantages of a natural gas powered water heater, as natural gas would reheat 50 gallons in an hour or less. (Tankless natural gas water heaters heat as the water goes through the pipes, so there is no waiting time at all.) The roommates think their water heater is electric, so here are their options:

Second roommate will have to wait two hours before he or she takes their shower. Or....

Each roommate can make an agreement and set a timer to take a shorter shower, 5 minutes or less. You can do it!

Add an insulating blanket to your water heater to speed up the recovery and  keep the water as warm as possible as new cold water enters to refill the tank.

Ask your landlord to check if one of the heating elements on the water heater has burnt out. If that's the case, it is taking considerably longer for the water heater to recover and the hot water runs out quickly, even before the first shower ends.

How Much Water Am I Using?

Household faucets - 3-5 gallons a minute when running
Shower - 5-10 gallons a minute
Tub bath - 50 gallons if full
Dishwasher - 15-20 gallons per load
Washing machine - 35 gallons per average full load cycle
Lawn watering - 35 gallons per half acre
Dripping faucet - 1,000 gallons per year

Take this Natural Gas Safety Quiz!

1. Which of the following signs may indicate a natural gas leak? 

a. A rotten egg or sulfur odor 

b. A hissing sound 

c. Bubbles appearing in outdoor puddles 

d. All of the above 

e. Don’t know 

2. If you suspect or detect a possible natural gas leak, what should you do? There may be more than one right answer to this one.

a. Leave the area on foot 

b. Call 911 from a safe distance 

c. Avoid turning on/off switches 

d. Call the Department of Public Utilities at 646-7000 

e. Attempt to find the leak 

f. Don’t know 

3. How does natural gas get to your home? 

a. Underground pipelines 

b. Delivered by truck 

c. Don’t know 

4. If you are planning to dig, what do you need to do before you start? 

a. Call the Department of Public Utilities

b. Call 811 

c. Do nothing 

d. Don’t know 

Answers (Scroll over the blank line below and they will appear!)

1) d  2) a-d  3) a 4) b

History of the Combined Sewer Overflow Project

A Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) is a discharge of untreated storm and wastewater from a combined sewer into the environment. CSOs typically occur when combined sewers fill up with too much water for the system to handle, most often during heavy rains, and the excess water is released into a stream or river.

Richmond's CSO system is the largest in the state of Virginia. The area serviced by Richmond's CSO system is approximately 12,000 acres.

During dry weather, combined sewer systems carry all the sanitary flow to wastewater treatment plants. During times of rainfall, however, the amount of rain adds to the amount of flow going to the treatment plant. This heavier flow is greater than the capacity of the combined sewer system. When the flow exceeds the capacity, the excess flow is discharged directly to the river at various overflow points in the sewer system. In Richmond, the major overflow points are found on the banks of the James River and Gillies Creek.

Richmond's CSO system is financed through state and federal grant funding, state low-interest loans, and rate payers.

The CSO program began in 1970. Here's the timeline:

1972: Study recommends construction of a retention basin for the Shockoe CSO area.
1974: Initiation of a comprehensive CSO study, including extensive CSO sampling.
1978: Temporary suspension of the 1974 CSO study, awaiting the outcome of State of Virginia James River water quality studies.
1983: Completion of the construction of the Shockoe CSO area retention basin.
1985: Completion of State of Virginia Water Quality Model of the James River. Resumption of 1974 CSO study.
1987: Initiation of construction of wastewater treatment plant improvements to increase plant capacity during wet weather events to allow emptying of Shockoe CSO area retention basin in two days and to accept additional wet weather flow.
1988: Completion of the comprehensive CSO study defining the Long Term Control Plan (LTCP) for the CSOs.
1990: City completes the implementation of the initial elements (Phase I) of the approved plan.
1992: State Water Control Board issues a Special Order requiring implementation of additional elements included in Phase II of the plan. This Special Order includes a requirement 7(d) to Re-Evaluate the CSO Control Plan, at the end of Phase II to determine if changes should be made to the approved plans.
1996: The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) amended the Special Order to accelerate all the Northside CSO Control Projects and place on hold the swirl concentration project because this technology had not produced, nationwide, the expected results.
1998: City places in operation all CSO conveyance projects on the south and north sides of the James River.
1999: The DEQ Piedmont Regional office issues a Special Order by Consent requiring the city to advance the schedule of the re-evaluation of the CSO Control Plan consistent with the EPA National CSO Control Policy.
2002: City completes CSO Re-Evaluation Report.
2003: City places in operation CSO Retention Tunnel on the north side of the James River.
2006: Completion of the Program Project Plan that shows the master plan for the Phase III CSO Controls.
2007: The DEQ is evaluating the water quality standards and developing a water quality model as part of the Richmond Area Total Maximum Daily Load.

Shelter Dog Gets a Job with the City

Dual dog kennel at the Water Plant.

Bulletin! Duck Dynasty was adopted late in July. The new dog at the Water Plant is Valerie.

His name is Duck Dynasty, aka D2, and Richmond Animal Care and Control rescued him from a life on the streets about two months ago. After a month in the city's animal shelter at 1600 Chamberlayne Avenue, Duck D, a neutered, male, three or four-year-old
hound mix who gets along well with other dogs, got an important assignment.

He would be the first dog to live in the new dual kennel at the city's Water Plant on the river, and his job would be to discourage the ducks and geese from loitering around the 37-acre plant, leaving a trail of guano in their wake. In exchange, he is learning about socializing with a variety of people and hanging out quietly in offices when he's not in his kennel. "He's out of the pen more often than not," says Ricky Hatfield, plant superintendent.

The program was funded by the Richmond Animal Welfare Foundation. After Duck D is adopted into his forever home, other dogs will have the opportunity to live at the Water Plant. Water Plant staff, who are at the plant seven days a week, 24 hours a day, take Duck D with them on their security patrols day and night, or bring him into the offices on hot or rainy days.

Is that a deer? A duck? A beaver?

DPU Director Bob Steidel, Water Plant Program Manager Arnold Eberly, Utility Plant Superintendent Ricky Hatfield, and Richmond Animal Care and Control Director Christie Peters welcome Duck Dynasty to the Water Plant as a "city employee."

Carbon monoxide vs. carbon dioxide

What’s the difference between carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO2)? The names are very similar and they are both colorless and odorless gases, but there’s some critical differences.

Carbon monoxide is the result of an improperly ventilated fuel-burning appliance, such as an oil or gas furnace, gas hot water heater, gas oven, gas or kerosene space heater, fireplace or woodstove. In autos, CO is generated by a gasoline engine that does not use a catalytic converter. CO poisoning is the most common type of fatal poisoning.

Symptoms of CO poisoning include headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, fatigue and soon unconsciousness or death. It is sometimes mistaken for food poisoning. You need to be especially alert to these symptoms in the event of power outages when people turn to generators that may be improperly ventilated or too close to a window. Cars left running in closed garages can also be deadly.

Carbon dioxide, on the other hand, occurs naturally in the atmosphere and is required for plant life. It is a natural byproduct of human and animal respiration. We breathe in oxygen and breath out carbon dioxide. CO2 is generated by gasoline engines that do have catalytic converters. CO2 poisoning is very rare and usually appears as “the bends” if you come up from a deep water dive too quickly.

It's Mosquito Season

Every year from April 15 to Oct. 31, the City of Richmond Department of Public Utilities (DPU) treats storm inlets for mosquito larvae to reduce the number of mosquitoes and prevent the possible spread of West Nile virus.

More than 4,000 storm inlets will be tested for mosquito larvae and treated.

The process starts in Highland Park and will cover Ginter Park, Battery Park, and Azalea/Westminster by May 15. From May 16-June 15, crews will be in Windsor Farms, the West End, Oregon Hill, Randolph, The Fan, Maymont, and City Stadium; from June 16-July 15, Fairfield, Mosby, Church Hill, Fulton, and Shockoe; July 16-August 15 Willow Lawn area; Aug. 16-Sept. 15 Northside; and Sept. 16-Oct. 31, Southside.

West Nile Virus is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. An estimated 80 percent of people infected with the virus never show any symptoms, but the remaining 20 percent experience fever, headache, muscle aches, fatigue and joint pain. One in 150 victims will develop severe symptoms, including fever, headache, a stiff neck, disorientation or confusion, vision loss, seizures, paralysis, and occasionally death. There is no treatment available for West Nile Virus except supportive care. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported seven cases of West Nile Virus in Virginia last year and one death.

The best defense is to protect yourself from mosquito bites and eliminate their breeding areas.
This means turning over or removing any container in your yard where rainwater collects, such as pots, plant trays, buckets, tires, or toys. Eliminate standing water on flat roofs, boats, tarps, and lawn furniture.

Empty and refresh bird baths once a week and clean roof gutters and downspots where water might pool.

Clear obstructions in ditches and creeks so they can flow and drain. Fill in puddles with soil, sand or gravel. Mosquitoes can breed in as little as a teaspoon of standing water and can detect human breathe from 75 feet away. Only the females bite as they need a blood diet to breed.

Wear long, loose, and light colored clothing and use insect repellent products with at least 50 percent DEET for adults and 30 percent for children. Mosquitoes are most active at dawn and dusk.

Bug (yellow) lights do not kill mosquitoes, but mosquitoes are less attracted to yellow light. Fans blowing on you while you are in the yard or deck will keep mosquitoes away as they are weak fliers. Citronella candles offer no more protection than any other candle. Bug zapper lights also make little significant difference. Given the choice between a bug zapper light and a human, the mosquito will always head for the human.

And don’t scare away the bats as they can swallow 500 to 1,000 mosquitoes an hour while in flight.

DPU treats all the storm sewers and catch basins within the city with non-toxic sprays which are safe for humans and pets and have been approved for use in storm sewers by the Virginia Department of Health.

Is Your Gas Bill Suddenly Unusually High?

Does your gas bill seem unusually high compared to previous months?

It is probably not due to a gas leak. Gas leaks are noticeable by their strong, rotten egg odor. It is unlikely your bill over the course of a month would dramatically increase due to a gas leak because you would notice that almost immediately by the smell. Gas leaks are not like water leaks, which could be in a faulty toilet or dripping under your house or in a cabinet or basement and continue for days or weeks without being noticed.

Do you pay your gas bill in total every month? If you make partial payments and keep a balance due, and suddenly there is a cold weather snap like this past winter, a higher monthly bill, combined with previous balance dues can add up to a high bill. If you’re facing financial difficulty and need a special payment plan, call 646-7000. Next time your bill is completely paid, immediately sign up for the Equal Monthly Payment Plan at 646-7000 so your gas bill is spread out evenly over 12 months and you won’t experience these sudden spikes during unusually cold months.

What is your thermostat set on? Even in the coldest weather, you should keep it at 68 and turn it down to 59 at night or whenever you are away from home for more than a couple of hours. You should never use a gas oven for heat by leaving it on all day or night with the oven door open. That is dangerous. Anything coming in contact with the burners could start a fire, or a burner blowing out could emit deadly carbon monoxide. It is also costly because the oven runs continually and doesn’t turn off when the room has reached the desired temperature. Never use an oven to heat the house.

Learn to dress in layers. Thermal undershirts and leggings, with regular clothes over them, socks and slippers, stocking caps, sweaters and housecoats will keep you cozy for free. It's also better to sleep in a cool house. Breathing warmed air continually is irritating to the nasal passages and dries out your sinuses. Keep bowls of water near (but not on top of) the heating vents to evaporate moisture into the air.

Open the drapes on sunny days and take advantage of the sun's warmth whenever possible. 

Change your furnace filter. A dirty filter will keep your furnace from working at its most efficient.

Are your heating vents blocked by rugs or furniture? Is the fireplace damper open, letting in cold air? Close it.

Is your house weather tight? Do you have cold air coming in through the windows and outside doors? You might need weatherstripping, plastic sheeting, or more attic insulation. Even throwing a blanket over the curtain rod might help. Are the storm windows fully closed? Check the top of the windows. If you don’t normally lock your windows, the top might be open just enough to be letting in cold air.

Did the month of the high bill happen during a month when there were several holidays, snow days or vacation days and you and your family were home more often, with the thermostat set high, cooking more and drying more loads of laundry than usual? That's another reason you could be seeing a spike.

Cold Weather Policy for Service Disconnection

Gas service will not be disconnected when the daily temperature is equal to or less than 32 degrees from Dec. 1-March 31 if

• The below freezing forecasted temperature is for a 24-hour period
• It occurs on a Friday or any time during the following weekend
• The customer has a Life Support coded account which indicates elderly, senior care, dialysis or medical

If payment is not received, service will be disconnected on the next business day that the temperature is predicted to be above 32 degrees for the next 24 hours, or during the weekend.

Unless the service is for a daycare center, nursing home, church or bulk metered multi-dwelling where occupants reside, temperature will not prevent disconnection of these services. 

Confirmed theft of service situations will be disconnected regardless of weather conditions.