Conserve Water
Published on April 8, 2014
Tips on being water smart
Preliminary data shows that 2013 was the driest year in California since 1878. Conserving water should be part of everyday life. We don’t need to wait for a drought to save water. To put the drought behind us, we will need a concerted effort by everyone to reduce water use as much as possible. Below are some tips to get you started on being water smart and doing your part to help conserve water.
Outside
- Use a shutoff nozzle instead of letting the hose run
- Avoid water-wasting run-off - don't water sidewalks, driveways or gutters
- Maintain your irrigation system - frequently check for leaks, clogs or misdirected sprinklers and emitters
- Water outdoors between midnight and 10 a.m. to avoid the peak energy hours and minimize evaporation. Avoid peak water use hours of 5 a.m. to 8 a.m.
- Water with the weather. Turn off your sprinklers and irrigation system during the rainy season or install a rain sensor to automatically shut off your sprinklers when it's raining
- Group plants with similar water, soil and sun exposure needs
- Put a layer of mulch around trees and plants to reduce evaporation and water-stealing weeds
- Reduce lawn size and incorporate water efficient plants into your landscape
Inside
- Install a low-flow shower-head (save up to 800 gallons a month)
- Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth (save up to 10 gallons a day)
- Install ultra-low flush toilets (save 10 to 40 gallons a day)
- Run only full loads of laundry and dishes (save up to 800 gallons a month)
- Use a high-efficiency washing machine (save more than 16 gallons a load)
- Repair a leaky faucet (save up to 429 gallons a month)
- Install a low-flow faucet aerator (save more than 140 gallons a month)
- Fix toilet leaks (save up to 500 gallons of water a day)
Water Conservation Forum
- Tips courtesy of the Regional Water Authority