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WATER CONSERVATION TIPS FOR YOUR HOME

Here in SoCal, we are blessed to have a lovely Mediterranean climate, with mild temperatures and plenty of sunshine.  This region is famous for its diverse natural environments, from beautiful beaches to mountains and desert.  Combined with a strong job market, cultural diversity and excellent educational institutions, lots of people are drawn to live here.

 

When I first moved here in 2018 from New Hampshire, I loved the mild weather but was  taken aback by the lack of rainfall.  For the first many months that I lived here, I didn’t see a drop of rain, and coming from New England, the dry crispy climate was something I was definitely not acclimated to.

 

Since that time, I’ve come to appreciate the preciousness of water and have done a deep dive to find some relatively simple ways we can conserve this often scarce resource.

 

Ways to limit water usage in your home:

• Fix leaks promptly.
• Take shorter showers.  Keep a bucket in your shower that collects the water that would otherwise be going down the drain while you are getting the warm water to your shower.  You can use this supply to water your indoor and outdoor plants.
• Turn off the faucet while brushing your teeth or shaving at the sink.
• Run only full loads in your dishwasher and washer.
• Install low flow shower heads and faucet aerators.
• Use high efficiency toilets and flush less often when possible.
• When washing dishes by hand, use a sinkful of water rather than running the water continuously.

 

How to have a water-thrifty yard:

• Do not use grass in your yard; instead, put in drought tolerant plants.
• Run your sprinklers early in the morning or later in the evening to prevent evaporation.  Be sure to shut off your sprinklers during a rainy spell.
• Collect rainwater in a barrel for watering plants.
• Use a broom to clean off sidewalks and patios, not a hose.
• Apply a layer of mulch around plants to help the soil retain moisture.
• Monitor your water usage bill.

 

Other useful tips:

• Have smaller children bathe together.
• Keep a pitcher of water in the refrigerator so that you always have cold water.
• Don’t pour oil or grease down your drain.  This requires a lot of water to rinse it all down, and you still might clog your pipe.
• Reuse as much water as possible.

 

We hope these tips will help you lower your water bill and conserve this precious resource for the future!