The old saying, that “every drop counts,” rings true, especially as Californians experience a water crisis. On the heels of news that one of California’s major water providers, the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, may soon have to curtail its water usage, the topic of water conservation becomes that much more relevant to everyday thought. There are many, many ways that the typical citizen can save water – and at the end of the day, every little action counts. Without further ado, here are some great and easy ways to save water everyday!

Everyone:

This category contains tips that pertain to anyone, including those not involved with major purchasing decisions or maintenance of larger, water-using devices.  1.) Take shorter showers. Shaving just a few minutes off a shower can save gallons of water. 2.) Don’t use water willy-nilly in the frontyard or backyard. For example, it’s not the best idea to use a hose to clear away a pile of leaves. 3.) Turn off the water while you brush your teeth. This one has been around for a while. While brushing your teeth, there is no reason to keep the water on. When you are ready to rinse, fill a cup with water, then turn the water back off. 4.) Don’t keep the faucet (in the bathroom, kitchen, laundry room) running for longer than necessary. When you are done using the water, simply shut off the faucet.

Homeowners:

In addition to those handy tips for everybody, homeowners and those residents typically using major water-using appliances (dishwashers, clothing machines, sprinkler systems, etc.) can also save a great deal of water many ways. 1.) Install a “smart” sprinkler controller/weather-based irrigation controllers. Not only can you save thousands of gallons of water per year by using a sophisticated sprinkler controller (such as Cyber-Rain), but the water savings can truly add up, come bill time. 2.) Purchase a “high efficiency toilet.” 3.) Purchase a “high efficiency” clothes washing machine. Great rebates are available for the former three products through a multitude of water districts and governmental organization, including BeWaterWise and SoCal Water$mart. 4.) Xeriscape! This Colorado-based philosophy centers around the planting of plants that are hardy and require less water, either because of their natural proclivities, or their natural affinity (i.e. a “native” plant that is used to surviving in drier conditions). Using Xeriscape, and a smart sprinkler controller like Cyber-Rain, can save a great deal of water. One Cyber-Rain user claimed to save about $100 on his water bill after installing the Cyber-Rain smart sprinkler system. 5.) According to BeWaterWise, if you ” Water your yard only before 8 a.m. [to reduce evaporation and interference from wind]” and purchase a smart sprinkler controller, you can potentially save nearly 70 gallons of water everyday. That is a lot of water savings!

Simple actions and informed decisions are the key to making our water last. Everyday motions and minute gestures can make all the difference. We’ll talk about even more tips soon!