EVERY DROP COUNTS!
Water Conservation is More Important Than Ever
It’s always a good idea to use water wisely in San Diego County, but it’s especially important now. Historic dry conditions in California, drought conditions in the Colorado River basin, coupled with the environmental and regulatory restrictions on flows from the State Water Project (which provides 40 percent of San Diego County’s water), make it essential for residents and businesses to increase conservation immediately.
The good news is, you CAN help by taking on the 20-Gallon Challenge! If each person can save 20 gallons or more a day, that will significantly help the region get through this challenging time by allowing more water to stay in storage to meet future demands. This will become increasingly crucial if the State Water Project must reduce water deliveries in the future and if our extremely dry conditions continue into 2008.
Saving water is easier than you might think. A few simple changes can make a big difference in your water usage – as well as your water bill! Keep in mind that 60 percent of urban water use in San Diego is spent on landscape irrigation and other outdoor purposes, so make sure you think inside AND outside to maximize water savings.
TIP LEGEND
No cost - Easy to do
Low cost - More effort required
Higher cost - Most effort required
INDOOR TIPS FOR RESIDENTS
|
Conservation Tips |
Estimated Savings |
|
Run the dishwasher only when full |
2–4.5 gallons per load |
|
Don’t leave water running when rinsing dishes |
2.5 gallons per minute |
|
Turn off water when brushing teeth |
2 gallons per minute |
|
Shorten showers |
2.5 gallons per minute |
|
Don’t use the toilet as a wastebasket |
1.6 gallons per flush |
|
Wash only full loads of clothes |
15–50 gallons per load |
|
Fix leaky toilets |
30–50 gallons per day per toilet |
|
Fix leaky faucets |
15–20 gallons per day per leak |
|
Install aerators with flow restrictors on kitchen/bathroom faucets |
4.7 gallons per day |
|
Replace older, inefficient clothes washers (For information on $175 Water Authority/SDG&E vouchers call 800-986-4538.) |
20–30 gallons per load |
|
Replace older, high-volume flushing toilets |
2.2–3.8 gallons per flush |
For information on water wasted due to leaks, visit the WaterWiser Drip Calculator at
http://www.awwa.org/advocacy/learn/conserve/dripcalc.cfm
For additional water conservation information visit the following web sites:
www.bewaterwise.com and www.h2ouse.org
For commercial and industrial water conservation tips, visit www.sdcwa.org
OUTDOOR TIPS FOR RESIDENTS
|
Conservation Tips |
Estimated Savings |
|
Water only before 6 a.m. and after 8 p.m. to reduce evaporation and interference from wind. |
20–25 gallons per day |
|
Don’t over water landscaping:
1) Cut irrigation to 2 or 3 days per week or use the landscape calculator
http://apps.sandiego.gov/landcalc and watering index
at http://www.bewaterwise.com/. Also check out
www.sandiego.gov/water/conservation to learn how much to water.
2) Water only after the top inch of soil is dry.
3) Reset irrigation controllers and replace batteries in the spring and fall. |
15–25 gallons for each minute of irrigation eliminated |
|
Adjust sprinklers to prevent overspray and runoff. |
15–25 gallons per day |
|
Repair leaks and broken sprinkler heads. |
20 gallons per day per leak |
|
Add 2” to 3” of mulch around trees & plants to reduce evaporation. |
20–30 gallons per day |
|
Install water-efficient drip irrigation system for trees, shrubs, and flowers to get water to the plant’s roots more efficiently. |
20–25 gallons per day
|
|
Upgrade to a “smart irrigation controller” that automatically adjusts watering times for hotter weather, and shuts down the system when it rains. |
40 gallons per day |
|
Replace a portion of lawn with beautiful native and California Friendly plants. NOTE: These plants do best when planted after winter rains begin. For great examples visit the Water Conservation Garden at www.thegarden.org and check out www.h2ouse.org for a guide of beautiful water conserving gardens. |
33–60 gallons per day depending on climate |
Other Outdoor Ideas
|
Conservation Tips |
Estimated Savings |
|
Use a broom instead of a hose to clean driveways and sidewalks. |
150 gallons or more per use |
|
Adjust your pressure reducer (if you have one) to keep
pressure between 40 and 60 p.s.i. |
Varies |
|
Don't leave the hose running while washing your car. Get a self-closing nozzle for your hose. |
20 gallons per minute |
|
Repair any leaks around pool and spa pumps. |
20 gallons per day per leak |
|
Repair leaking hose bibs. |
15–20 gallons per day per leak |
|
Install covers on pool and spas to reduce evaporation. |
30 gallons per day |
|
Install pressure reducer if your pressure is greater than 80 p.s.i. |
Varies |
For additional water conservation information visit the following websites:
www.bewaterwise.com and www.h2ouse.org