Water Conservation Tips

With unpredictable water resources and a state mandate to reduce water use by 20 percent by the year 2020, water conservation should be a high priority for all residents. Even in years of normal rainfall, every drop counts! Try these easy and effective ways to save water throughout your home and garden:

• Set your sprinkler system to water only at night.
• Fix indoor faucets and toilet leaks. Just a drip can waste more than 10,000 gallons per month.
• Plant native and drought-tolerant landscapes. Visit your local home and garden store or nursery to find the appropriate low-water use plants suited for your local climate.
• Adjust your sprinklers to ensure they water the yard and not the sidewalk or driveway and try taking a minute or two off the timer.
• Check your system. Do a weekly check for broken or clogged sprinkler heads and replace them right away.
• Use a broom instead of a hose. Sweeping rather than hosing off leaves or grass clippings not only saves water, it also reduces runoff.
• Get an adjustable hose nozzle for outdoor use. It will allow you to adjust the spray to meet your needs.
• Prevent water runoff. Set your sprinklers to run for two short cycles and aerate your lawn to give the water somewhere to go besides down the storm drain.
• Take shorter showers and install a water efficient showerhead.
• Turn off the water while you brush your teeth or shave.
• Wash only full loads in the dishwasher and washing machine.

Water Savings

The following table illustrates the amount of water you can save by making a few small changes to your daily activities. By adjusting your daily routine and installing water-wise devices you can save thousands of gallons every month!

To find more ways you can save water throughout your home, visit the California Urban Water Conservation Council’s interactive home tour at www.h2ouse.org.

The following sites offer even more easy ways to save water indoors:

• www.wateraware.org
• www.epa.gov/watersense
• www.bewaterwise.com