By Shannin Prather
July 2015 | 2015 Summer Newsletter
As we continue in an unprecedented fourth year of drought in California, Governor Jerry Brown has ordered a reduction of water usage by 25% statewide. Cutting back on water usage is now a necessity. During Droughts, water is precious, an we all need to take steps to conserve it.
Here are some simple tips to help with cutting down on household water use:
- Turn off your faucet when not actively using the water. For instance, while brushing your teeth and washing your hands.
- Shorten your shower by using a timer set at 10 minutes. Changing to a low flow showerhead will save up to 15 gallons of water in a 10 minute shower, and can cost as little as $15.
- Water you garden after sunset to reduce evaporation and allow more time to moisten plant roots, which allows you to cut back on how often and for how long you are watering.
- Reuse “graywater” recycled from sinks, tubs, and washing machines to reuse on plants and lawn areas.
- Flush less often. With each toilet flush, one to three and a half gallons of water is wasted, unless you have a low-flow toilet.
Remember, it is important to drink enough water daily to stay healthy, so don’t cut back on your drinking water! Finding ways to cut back on household water use will benefit everyone during these dry California days. For more water news, visit valleywater.org.