Water Conservation

Residents can do their part to help save water by implementing these easy to follow, no- cost steps to achieving water savings:

Conserving Water Outdoors

  • Running your sprinklers during the day will result in unnecessary water loss from evaporation, due to the higher heat during the day.
  • Adjust your sprinkler timer to reduce the number of minutes that each station runs or use multiple short cycles to reduce the amount of runoff that comes off your lawn and onto sidewalks and gutters. Make sure your sprinklers are adjusted to reduce wasting water on paved surfaces.
  • Water your plants deeply enough for the roots to grow deep into the soil. Deeply rooted lawns and plants will be more resistant to drought and require less frequent watering.
  • Washing of cars, trailers, and boats should only be done using a bucket and/or hose with automatic shut-off nozzle for quick rinses. Wash runoff should be directed into landscaped areas.
  • Water should not be used to wash down sidewalks, driveways, parking areas, or other paved surfaces. This wasted water washes pollutants like oil, brake dust, and other contaminants into the storm drain system and eventually into our waterways and ocean.

Conserving Water Indoors

  • Take shorter showers. They typically use 5 to 8 gallons per minute. Install a water-saving shower head.  
  • Don’t run the tap when brushing your teeth or use your toilet as a disposal unit to flush used tissue or other debris.
  • Run the dishwasher or washing machine only when it is full. A dishwasher can help you conserve because it only uses 9 to 12 gallons of water, while hand washing can use up to 20 gallons.
  • Refrigerate drinking water instead of running the faucet until water runs cool.
  • Repair your leaks; the American Water Works Association estimates that leaks account for an average of 22 gallons of water per household per day.
  • Check toilets for leaks. This is the most common indoor problem that we experience. A leaking toilet can waste up to 4,000 gallons a year and a new high efficiency toilet can save as much as six gallons per flush.