May is Water Awareness Month making this the perfect time to start thinking about the best ways to conserve water!
Below average rainfall combined with overconsumption of water has hit California with multiple waves of drought over the past decade. These events have caused widespread repercussions impacting our agriculture, tourism, housing, and energy sectors.
The last major drought brought an estimated $10 billion in damages from agriculture losses and raging wildfires. As one of the world’s largest suppliers of food, protecting California’s environment needs to be a daily priority for all of us.
While it may not sound like much, changing your water usage habits can have positive impacts on the world around you.
Here are some steps you can take to make a difference:
- Indoor:
- Take shorter showers instead of baths.
- Turn off the water while brushing your teeth or shaving.
- Make sure your dishwasher and washing machines are fully loaded before running.
- Check your pipes, faucets, and shower heads for potential leaks.
- Consider installing water-saving showerheads or faucets. Dual flush toilets or toilets with adjustable flush rates are also efficient water savers.
- Dual flush toilets or toilets with adjustable flush rates are also efficient water savers.
- Outdoor:
- Only water your lawn when your plants are in need of water, instead of on a weekly schedule.
- Water your lawns during the coolest part of the day; preferably during early morning hours.
- Full grass lawns are one of California’s largest water consumers taking approximately 7% of the state’s water use. Consider switching to drought-tolerant plants such as succulents.
- Avoid washing your driveway, sidewalks, or automobiles with a hose.
- Consider fixing your irrigation system if you are experiencing large quantities of runoff into the street or sidewalk while watering.
