Conservation

    How can I save water in my home?

  • Is your toilet a water hog? Replacing an old 3.5 to 8 gallon-per-flush toilet WITH a new 1.28 gallon-per-flush (or less) high-efficiency model could save thousands of gallons per year. Don't use your toilet as a wastebasket as each flush wastes 5 to 7 gallons of water.
  • Do you have a leaky faucet? Fix leaks! A little drip may not seem like much, but a faucet that drips just five times a minute may be wasting more than 200 gallons of water a year.
  • Do you leave the faucet running when you brush your teeth? Turn it off to save 70 gallons per month or more. You can also install water-saving faucet aerators to further reduce your faucet water use. Keep water in the refrigerator instead of running water until it gets cool.
  • Do you like long showers? Even if you already have a high-efficiency showerhead, every minute you shorten your shower can save up to 75 gallons per month.
  • Do you have an old washing machine? A high-efficiency clothes washer may use half the water and energy that a traditional washer uses. And don't forget to only run full loads (in your dishwasher, too).
  • Use your water meter to check for hidden water leaks. If you are not using water in the house but the numbers on your meter are slowly moving then you have a hidden leak to find.

    How can I save water in my yard?

  • How green is your garden? By using native plants plants that are used to our climate you may be able to reduce your outdoor water use significantly. Put layers of mulch around trees and plants to slow evaporation.
  • Consider installing a graywater system to use your washing machine water to irrigate your lawn or garden.
  • Consider collecting rainwater to use on your landscape.
  • Does your lawn need watering? A good way to check is to just step on the grass. If it springs right back up, you may not need to turn on the sprinklers. When it's time to water, do it at dawn or dusk to reduce evaporation.
  • Have you checked your sprinkler system lately? A sprinkler system can waste water if sprinkler heads are broken, automatic timers are not adjusted for rain, or hidden leaks are not detected. Avoid watering on windy days.
  • Can you avoid getting out the garden hose? A hose can use 10 gallons of water per minute. Use a broom instead of a hose to clean patios, walkways, and driveways. Don't water the gutter. Use a broom not the hose to clean paved areas.
  • Have a dirty car? Use a bucket of water instead of a hose to wash your car. Even better, take your car to a car wash that recycles its water.

    How can I save water in my garden?

    It has always been wise to conserve water in your home and garden. But in California today, conservation is more than just a good idea — it is essential. One of the best places to make significant reductions in water use is in your garden. People who live in urban areas use about half of their water outdoors. In the summer, garden water use climbs even higher as the weather gets hotter and drier. Fortunately, you can save water in your garden without sacrificing the quality of your landscaping. By taking advantage of efficient irrigation techniques and using ornamental plants and ground covers that are suitable to long, dry summers, you can enjoy a beautiful landscape that requires significantly less water and maintenance than a less carefully designed one. Planting Hints
  • Whenever possible, plant only low-water and drought-resistant plants.
  • Limit the amount of area devoted to your lawn. Lawns need great quantities of water, particularly in the summer.
  • Wait until fall or winter to install a new garden. New plantings require more water than established growth.
  • Keep low-water plants away from thirsty plants. Mediterranean-zone plants can suffer if they are over watered as you care for their neighbors.
  • Keep shade plants in the shade. This will help prevent them from drying out.
  • Place water-loving plants at the bottom of slopes, where they will benefit from water runoff.
  • Include mulch around shrubs and plants to help reduce evaporation, limit weed growth, moderate soil temperature, and prevent erosion.

    • Helpfull Websites Cal Water.com and eartheasy.com