Skip to main content

Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority

Home
  • Residential & Commercial Customers
    • Residential & Commercial Customers Overview
    • Account & Billing Info
    • Rates
    • Customer Assistance Programs
    • Service Changes
    • Buying or Selling Property
    • Pipe Ownership
    • Backflow Device Testing
    • Tips, Maintenance & Prevention
  • Developers, Contractors & Vendors
    • Developers, Contractors & Vendors Overview
    • Bids & Opportunities
    • Consultant Outreach
    • Supplier Diversity Program
    • Permits
    • Developer's Manual & Standard Details
    • 2022 Business Development Series
  • Projects & Maintenance
    • Projects & Maintenance Overview
    • Service Outages
    • Search All Projects
    • Planning & Future Projects
    • Construction Projects
    • Water Main Replacement
    • Lead Line Replacement Programs
    • Common Issues & Questions
  • Your Water
    • Your Water Overview
    • Water
    • Water Quality & Treatment
    • Water Reliability Plan
    • Water Equity
    • Sewer
    • Stormwater
    • Our Service Area
    • Lead Information
    • Educational Resources
  • About Us
    • About Us Overview
    • Board & Board Meetings
    • Executive Leadership
    • Mission, Vision and Core Values
    • Tap Into Pittsburgh Water
    • Careers
    • Finance
    • Environmental Compliance
    • Year in Review
    • Rules & Regulations
    • Contact Us
  • News & Events
    • News & Events Overview
    • Press Releases
    • Newsletter Articles
    • Events & Meetings
  • Search

What can we help you find?

Service Outages
Report an Issue
My Account
Don't have an account?
Sign up now
Other ways to pay

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. News & Events
  3. Newsletter & Press
  4. Newsletter Articles
  5. Water Wise Tip: Hydrate!

Water Wise Tip: Hydrate!

Take care of yourself and others during summer heat waves by using these important tips!
A father using an outdoor hose to cool off his son

When heat waves strike, it is important to take care of yourself, loved ones, neighbors, and your property. Our bodies need water and regulated temperatures to function properly. Hot or humid weather requires extra water intake, even before you feel thirsty. When outside or without air conditioning, you need to find ways to stay cool to prevent heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Heat waves often lead to increased water use, so reducing water wasted outdoors by evaporation or overwatering will help save money on your bills. Follow these tips: 

  • Hydrate! Drink extra water to make up for fluid lost through sweat. Keep a pitcher of tap water in the fridge so you can easily pour cold glasses of water. Put out extra water for your pets.
  • Stay cool using the power of water. Use a spray bottle with cold water to spritz yourself. Wear wet towels or bandanas on your shoulders or head, or fill a bucket and soak your feet.
  • Water smart. Water your plants or lawn in the morning or early evening. Use an automatic shut-off nozzle for your gardening hose to control the flow.
  • Set sprinklers properly. Water the garden or lawn only – not the street or sidewalk. Set sprinklers to water low to the ground or invest in drip irrigation, to avoid water evaporating before it hits the soil.
  • Align your playtime and watering needs. When kids want to cool off, use the sprinkler in an area of the lawn that needs water or have them play when you’re already watering.
  • Do not open fire hydrants. It is illegal to open hydrants without permission. An open hydrant decreases water pressure and could present a safety issue if there were a fire nearby.
  • Cover the pool. If you have a backyard pool, cover it when not in use to make sure the water stays in it instead of evaporating.
Print This Page
Share
  • email
  • twitter
  • facebook

Related Newsletters

Bunny-Grams

Newsletter

Pittsburgh Water Employees Raise Nearly $5,000 for Hardship Grant Program

04/2025 -
Pittsburgh Water employees coming together to support our most vulnerable customers.
Photo of a flooded basement area with a ball sitting in shallow, stagnant water in the background

Newsletter

Water Wise: Protect Your Home and Family from Flooding

04/2025 -
Follow these tips to prepare your family, home, and property in advance of a flood emergency.

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Media Inquiries

Please call our 24/7 Media Line 412-430-3898 

PGH2O

Contact Us

412-255-2423
Report an Emergency Press 1
Customer Service Press 5

Send us a Message

1200 Penn Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15222

Follow Us

Footer First Column

  • Check Your Usage
  • Update Your Contact Info
  • Service Outages
  • Rules & Regulations
  • Privacy Policy

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Footer Second Column

  • Residential & Commercial Customers
  • Developers, Contractors & Vendors
  • Projects & Maintenance
  • Your Water
  • About Us
  • News & Events
Copyright © 2025 Pittsburgh Water
Powered by Interpersonal Frequency I.F. Logo