Future Water Supply Reliability
Although water seems limitless and is for the most part taken for granted, it is not an absolute certainty that where settlement occurs, water will follow. This fact has not escaped water experts and decision-makers, who realize the many competing needs for a precious resource that has no substitute.
As California heads toward a future of further population growth, a number of factors have to be considered as agencies look to accommodate the increasing demand.
As California heads toward a future of further population growth, a number of factors have to be considered as agencies look to accommodate the increasing demand. In addition to the growth itself, other variables such as climate change, environmental conflicts and aging infrastructure could affect the future reliability of the state's water supplies. Recognizing the era of big projects has past, state and local officials have turned to a new supply paradigm that emphasizes regionally developed supply alternatives and the need for innovative approaches that accentuate the opportunities offered by conjunctive management.
This issue is discussed in DWR's update to the State Water Plan, which can be viewed at www.waterplan.water.ca.gov.
The process is understandably challenging and requires at least as much energy, enthusiasm and vision that enabled pioneers to tap the water supply potential of this vast state.
Learn About Your Watershed
Visit this U.S. EPA web site to learn more about the surface water resources in your region, http://cfpub.epa.gov/surf/locate/index.cfm
The Basics
Water is essential for life as we know it. Water grows our food, powers turbines for electricity and serves as the lifeblood of industry. Water nurtures our landscapes and provides habitat for wildlife. It is estimated between 70 and 75 percent of the Earth's surface is covered with water, more than 96 percent of which is too salty for most human uses.
Today, significant technological developments in monitoring, assessing and treating water ensure a drinking water supply of high quality for most people.
Today, substantial water development projects have occurred in every region of the state, from the Bay Area to Los Angeles to the burgeoning Inland Empire. Thus, residential, commercial and municipal users are drawing more of their supply from a mixture of imported and locally developed sources.
From the earliest days of U.S. history, finding and maintaining a clean water supply for drinking and other uses has been a high priority. Today, significant technological developments in monitoring, assessing and treating water ensure a drinking water supply of high quality for most people. Because of water's long history, life-supporting properties and future use, it needs to be protected from pollutants - whether natural or manmade. Ensuring a supply that sustains life for future generations has become part of the social contract.
Where a community's water comes from depends largely on the foresight and planning of its founders and the historic use of local lands and water sources. Some communities, such as Sacramento, claimed water rights early in their history in order to assure themselves an adequate supply far into the future. Other communities do not have access to adequate supplies of good quality local water to meet their needs. Some of these communities import water, sometimes over great distances, from state or federal water projects or large water districts.
The Water Cycle
Water is continually moving around, through and above the Earth. It moves as water vapor, liquid water and ice. It is constantly changing its form. The movement of water is referred to as the hydrologic or water cycle. Precipitation, evaporation/transpiration and runoff (surface runoff and subsurface infiltration) are the primary phases in the cycle.
Surface Water
Groundwater
Groundwater is the portion of water beneath the Earth's surface that can be collected with wells or which flows naturally to the surface via seepage or springs. California's enormous groundwater reservoirs are estimated to hold about 20 times the amount of water that is stored behind all the dams in the state. Groundwater doesn't exist in underground lakes but in the pores and spaces between alluvial materials (sand, gravel, silt or clay) in water-bearing formations called aquifers.
Acre-foot
Water is commonly measured by the acre-foot. One acre foot equals 325,851 gallons. Put another way, an acre-foot of water is enough to flood a football field - which is roughly an acre in size - 1 foot deep. The average California household uses between one-half and one acre-foot of water per year for indoor and outdoor each year.
How is Water Distributed?
Public agencies and private water developers have built nearly 1,400 reservoirs in California to capture seasonal runoff, protect against floods and allocate water supplies throughout the year. These reservoirs hold about 42 million acre-feet of water when full.
Most of the state's rainfall occurs from December through April, but the greatest demand for water is during the dry summer months.
Before 1900, water development in California was principally undertaken by individuals and private companies. As the population and economic activity of the state grew, cities, irrigation districts, public utilities and large municipal agencies took on the responsibility for developing water supplies for their jurisdictions. Over time, large distribution networks were developed to pipe treated surface and groundwater to homes, businesses, parks, schools and other facilities.
How is Drinking Water Treated?
Nearly a century ago, controlling water-borne disease was the main treatment goal of water providers. Today, water agencies large and small provide their customers with the highest quality drinking water in the world. Before disinfection became a common practice, widespread outbreaks of cholera and typhoid were frequent throughout the United States. These diseases are still common in less developed countries, but largely disappeared in the United States when chlorine and filtration became widely used 80 years ago.
Before disinfection became a common practice, widespread outbreaks of cholera and typhoid were frequent throughout the United States.
Water treatment technology must deal with a number of potential perils resulting from the movement of water from its source to our tap. Mountain springs might flow through sulfur, zinc or arsenic-laden formations. Groundwater can pick up contamination from fertilizers, septic tanks, mine drainage, naturally occurring minerals, industrial chemicals and metals such as arsenic and chromium. Rivers and streams sometimes carry harmful microorganisms from animals or humans, presenting a risk of disease. Storm drains can carry polluted runoff from cities into rivers and streams.
U.S. drinking water supplies are heavily regulated. Public and private water suppliers operating treatment systems today have methods to control nearly all of the properties found in water: hardness, acidity and alkalinity, color, turbidity, taste and odor, as well as the biological and organic chemical characteristics. Large water suppliers have their own laboratories to test water while smaller agencies use commercial labs.
In some systems, fluoride is added to reduce tooth decay. California law requires fluoridation of water in systems with 10,000 or more connections if outside funding is provided. According to the state, 30 percent of all public water providers in California fluoridate their water.
The treatment of groundwater varies from community to community, and even from well to well within a city depending on contaminants in the water. The water may be treated as it is pumped from the ground to remove certain contaminants or it may be chlorinated if there is concern of bacterial or parasitic infection.
The driving force behind the development of drinking water standards and regulations is the protection of public health. Many laws have been adopted concerning water quality standards, going as far back as the Interstate Quarantine Act of 1893, which sought to control the introduction of communicable diseases from other countries. The first drinking water regulations prohibited the use of a common drinking cup on trains.
The first federal drinking water standard, adopted in 1914, was limited to bacteriological quality of water and not physical and chemical requirements. By 1925, cities were using filtration, chlorination or both and had little difficulty complying with the coliform standard. Eventually, limits were established for lead, copper, zinc and excessive soluble mineral substances. In 1941, an advisory committee of federal agency representatives, scientific associations and at-large members was formed to revise drinking water regulations. In 1942, the committee agreed on significant initiatives such as required bacteriological examinations in water distribution systems and maximum concentrations for lead, fluoride, arsenic and selenium. Twenty years later, the U.S. Public Health Service developed drinking water standards that were used by California.
During the following decades, federal water pollution control efforts focused on physical, biological, chemical and industrial waste. Passed by Congress in 1974, the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) regulates drinking water quality in the United States. Under the SDWA, the U.S. Environmental protection Agency (EPA) can delegate implementation of drinking water regulations to states that have developed programs at least as stringent as the federal one. Such states, including California, have primary enforcement responsibility for administering their own programs.
Under the SDWA, public water systems are required to conduct testing on a regular basis. Monthly monitoring for microbial contaminants is required for both surface water and groundwater systems, while organic chemical monitoring must be conducted annually by surface systems and every three years by groundwater systems.
Contaminants fell into several categories: those that occur naturally, such as arsenic and uranium, those that are manmade, such as solvents or pesticides; and those that derive primarily from the materials used in supplying water, most notably disinfection byproducts (DBPs). The byproducts emerge from the treatment process when chlorine reacts with naturally occurring organic compounds found in the water supply. Public health experts note the possible risks from DBPs are limited compared to inadequate disinfection of drinking water.
EPA established pollutant-specific minimum testing schedules for public water systems. If a problem is detected, there are immediate retesting requirements that go into effect and strict instructions for how the system informs the public about the problem. Until the system can reliably demonstrate that it is free of problems, the retesting is continued.
Private Wells
When water is provided by a private well, periodic testing of its water is recommended but not mandated. Owners of private wells should use only laboratories certified by the California Department of Heath Services to conduct an analysis. Private wells fall outside federal and state regulation because they are on private land and not covered by the SDWA. They also are not subject to the same periodic testing and monitoring requirements as public water systems. There are more than 600,000 private wells in California.
Experts recommend having private well water tested at least once a year for coliform bacteria.
When it comes to toxic substances, more detailed - and expensive - testing can be done. Testing for minerals can cost from $130 to $200. Testing for organic "priority pollutants" may cost an additional $200 to $300. Testing for all regulated chemicals require even more extensive tests and can cost several thousand dollars per sample. If a contaminant is detected, the results will include the concentration of the contaminant and an indication of whether this concentration exceeds a drinking water quality standard. If a standard is exceeded, consumers are advised to retest the water supply immediately and contact the public health department for assistance.
Sometimes it is not necessary to check for the full range of pollutants. The health department probably is aware of metals or other possible contaminants of concern in the vicinity. County and state health departments keep records on well trouble spots and can advise whether any substances of concern have been found in other area wells nearby. However, water experts caution that different wells may not be drilled to the same depth or obtain water from the same geologic formation.
Information on well water quality is also available from the State Water Resources Control Board. The Groundwater Ambient Monitoring and Assessment (GAMA) Domestic Well Project samples private domestic wells for chemicals commonly found in well water. The areas sampled are chosen based upon existing knowledge of water quality and land use, in coordination with county environmental health agencies. The state incurs the costs of sampling, and the test results are provided to well owners who volunteered to have their well sampled. More information about the GAMA Domestic Well Project is available at http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/gama/domestic_well.shtml
In addition, the GAMA website also provides detailed information to private domestic well owners with concerns about their well water quality. The webpage to help you find important information about domestic wells is available at http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/gama/wq_privatewells.shtml
Small Water Systems
In California, the Department of Health Services (DHS) is responsible for regulating drinking water and for monitoring approximately 7,500 public water systems to assure the delivery of safe drinking water to all Californians. For small systems with 200 or fewer connections, the DHS' Drinking Water Field Operations Branches (DWFOB) work with county health departments, planning departments, and boards of supervisors that have primary regulatory oversight.
Many small systems are located in low-income communities, making it more difficult to raise funds for improvement.
Many small systems are located in low-income communities, making it more difficult to raise funds for improvement. The lack of financial resources means small water providers often use volunteered for operation and maintenance. The SDWA amendments established financial assistance programs for infrastructure and training, but the effort is limited by the large number of entities in need of assistance and the extent of the resources provided by EPA. For more information, visit www.epa.gov/safewater/smallsys/ssinfo.htm
Pollution Prevention
Pollution that impacts water quality is divided into point and nonpoint sources. Point source pollution is discharged from a known source, such as a wastewater treatment plant or a factory. Point sources are monitored and regulated to control discharges.
The leading cause of water quality problems is nonpoint source pollution, the accumulation of runoff from city streets, construction sites and agricultural fields, spills and abandoned mines.
It was once thought that polluted water would be naturally filtered as it seeped underground, but that is not the case. Many industrial chemicals are highly persistent and do not break down in soil. Consequently, more technologically advanced testing techniques are necessary to detect contamination. The full extent of groundwater contamination is not known, but the number of threats has increased, forcing the closure of thousands of wells.
Nonpoint sources are difficult to regulate because of their diffuse nature and so are dealt with through management measures that stress prevention and cost-effective, low-tech solutions.
Because of the collective impact of multiple pollutants on drinking water supplies, recreation, fisheries and wildlife, officials say the solution to the problem lies in educating people that they all have a part to play in minimizing the amount of pollutants that originate in a watershed. Among other things, this includes carefully following directions when applying lawn fertilizers, curbing pet waste and ensuring motor oil and other harmful chemicals are kept out of storm drains. Information about steps you can take to reduce runoff can be found at this website, http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/nps/index.html
Stretching the Water Supply
Even as the available supply of water in California remains fixed, the state's increasing demand means water suppliers and water users must do all they can to squeeze the most use from each precious drop of water. This necessity becomes even more evident in years when drought conditions exist and the water supply is precariously balanced between urban, agricultural and environmental demands.
Water conservation is an essential tool to stretch the water supply - or more accurately, to use the existing supply more efficiently.
Urban water suppliers have developed and implemented water conservation practices known as Best Management Practices (BMPs). These include the installation of water-saving plumbing fixtures and water meters on all new construction, public information programs, municipal landscape water conservation requirements and financial incentives to reduce water use. DWR estimates that following urban BMPs could reduce annual water demand by 900,000 acre-feet by 2020.
Conjunctive Use
Conjunctive use is the coordinated management of surface water and groundwater supplies to maximize the yield of the overall water resource. An active form of conjunctive use utilizes artificial recharge, where surface water is intentionally percolated or injected into aquifers for later use. A passive method is to simply rely on surface water in wet years and use groundwater in dry years. More than 65 water agencies in the state operate groundwater recharge programs. The success of many of these programs, however, depends on purchasing available surface water from other users.
Conjunctive use is becoming a key part of the state's overall water management strategy in terms of coping with a growing population.
Desalination
The process of removing dissolved minerals, such as salt, from sea water and brackish groundwater is gaining favor as a method of augmenting urban water supplies. Estimates are that seawater and brackish water desalination will increase by 10 to 20 percent in the next decade, with existing and envisioned operations eventually generating an estimated 700 million gallons per day. About two dozen seawater desalination plants are proposed along the California coast.
Estimates are that seawater and brackish water desalination will increase by 10 to 20 percent in the next decade.
Water Recycling
Water recycling (or water reclamation) involves treating municipal wastewater to remove sediments and impurities for reuse. As demand for water increases, techniques for recycling and reuse of water become more attractive. Using recycled water reduces reliance on increasingly scarce and expensive surface water and can minimize groundwater overdraft (extracting more water than is replenished.) Additionally, as a direct result of water recycling, discharges of treated wastewater into rivers and the ocean are reduced. Recycled water also has the advantage of being a local, drought-resistant supply - a key selling point in semi-arid states like California.
Water recycling and reuse plays an important role in California's overall water supply and management program.
Future Water Supply Reliability
Although water seems limitless and is for the most part taken for granted, it is not an absolute certainty that where settlement occurs, water will follow. This fact has not escaped water experts and decision-makers, who realize the many competing needs for a precious resource that has no substitute.
As California heads toward a future of further population growth, a number of factors have to be considered as agencies look to accommodate the increasing demand.
This issue is discussed in DWR's update to the State Water Plan, which can be viewed at www.waterplan.water.ca.gov.
The process is understandably challenging and requires at least as much energy, enthusiasm and vision that enabled pioneers to tap the water supply potential of this vast state.
Learn About Your Watershed
Visit this U.S. EPA web site to learn more about the surface water resources in your region, http://cfpub.epa.gov/surf/locate/index.cfm
For centuries, people have relied on rainwater harvesting to supply water for household, landscape, livestock, and agricultural uses. Before the advent of large centralized water supply systems, rainwater was collected from roofs and stored on site in tanks known as cisterns. With the development of large, reliable water treatment and distribution systems and more affordable well drilling equipment, rain harvesting was all but forgotten, even though it offered a source of pure, soft, low-sodium water.
A renewed interest in this time-honored approach of collecting water has emerged in California and elsewhere because of water shortage, escalating environmental and economic costs of providing water by centralized water systems or by well drilling. The health benefits of rainwater, and potential cost savings associated with rainwater collection systems have further spurred this interest.
About greywater reuse
Greywater is water from your bathroom sinks, showers, tubs, and washing machines. It is not water that has come into contact with feces, either from the toilet or from washing diapers.
Greywater may contain traces of dirt, food, grease, hair, and certain household cleaning products. While greywater may look “dirty,” it is a safe and even beneficial source of irrigation water in a yard. If released into rivers, lakes, or estuaries, the nutrients in greywater become pollutants, but to plants, they are valuable fertilizer. Aside from the obvious benefits of saving water (and money on your water bill), reusing your greywater keeps it out of the sewer or septic system, thereby reducing the chance that it will pollute local water bodies. Reusing greywater for irrigation reconnects urban residents and our backyard gardens to the natural water cycle.
The easiest way to use greywater is to pipe it directly outside and use it to water ornamental plants or fruit trees. Greywater can be used directly on vegetables as long as it doesn't touch edible parts of the plants. In any greywater system, it is essential to put nothing toxic down the drain--no bleach, no dye, no bath salts, no cleanser, no shampoo with unpronounceable ingredients, and no products containing boron, which is toxic to plants. It is crucial to use all-natural, biodegradable soaps whose ingredients do not harm plants. Most powdered detergent, and some liquid detergent, is sodium based, but sodium can keep seeds from sprouting and destroy the structure of clay soils. Chose salt-free liquid soaps. While you're at it, watch out for your own health: "natural" body products often contain substances toxic to humans, including parabens, stearalkonium chloride, phenoxyethanol, polyethelene glycol (PEG), and synthetic fragrances. (to learn more about what’s in your products, go to the Cosmetic Database and see how they rate for toxicity). Read our recommendations for soaps and products here.
The Utilization of Rainwater
When I think about how to economize water resource in order to provide more drinking water for the world people, neither the reuse of wastewater nor the desalination of sea water is cheap enough. However, the utilization of purified rainwater might be afforded by the public. This supposition is verified by the accessible information. It's said that the cost of purification systems of rainwater is only a third of the cost of desalination of seawater, and the infiltration trenches can save as much as 10%-20% of the cost of stormwater disposal. Besides the lower cost, precipitation in some countries, which are most in need of drinking water, such as Singapore , is very plentiful.
Set China as an example, which has a mediate precipitation, rainfall in every 22 square meters is enough for 200,000 people to use.
Utility Designs
As the rainwater is relatively pure, it can be saved and purified by the gardens or pools on the top of high buildings. The pool should be an ecosystem made up with soil, vegetations and other component if necessary. It can keep the water fresh and pure. When the rain is pouring, we can open the brake of the drainage to let the water go down to the road. After some disposal of filtration and disinfection, the water in pools can be drank directly.
Secondly, the rainwater could replenish the underground water through infiltration disposal. It is required that the road be paved with both bricks with grass and gravel with holes, and more grass should be planted. Besides, we could pave more infiltration trenches and improve the infiltration capability of the earth. In these ways, rainwater will help solve the underground water crisis caused by overuse. The feasibility of this design lies in the cheap, effective and efficient infiltration disposal.
To carry out the infiltration design, it's necessary to ensure that the rainwater does not pollute the underground water. The harmful substances in the rainwater are mainly heavy metals, microbes, ammonia, nitrogen, cations and anions. But according to some researches, a infiltration of rainwater will not cause pollution. Because the heavy metals cannot penetrate deep in the earth. Some 99% of the heavy metals will be kept in the surface, and thus be broken down there by the effect of adsorption, ion exchanging, etc. The microbes cannot either, only 0.07% of which exist 3 meters below. The cations and anions are dissolved in the earth and are absorbed by plants with their roots. The concentration of the ammonia and the nitrogen reduce to 30mg/L when reaching the underground water. The other factors such as COD and TSS are also purified by the earth. In a word, the rainwater could be used to replenish the underground water. However, the rainwater near hospitals shouldn't replenish the underground water, and the underground water near headwater should not be replenished for security reason either.
Thirdly, with the increasingly more constructions of wastewater reuse centers', and the more developed technology in this aspect, rainwater can be caught to supply the wastewater in more countries.
In addition, we could utilize the rainwater directly, though more expensive. It requires building rainwater catchments on the roof, under ground, and building more multi-storage buildings. After the collected rainwater is processed in certain physical, chemical and biological ways, it could be used directly, like washing toilet. But this method is actually not very good, for the channel construction is costly and some negative change will be brought about to the structure of buildings.
Suggestions on Extensive Use of Rainwater
In order to make better use of rainwater, we suggest that roads be built with infiltrated bricks and gravel, more grassland and raised flower beds be developed so that rainwater could get down and replenish the underground water more easily. Secondly, we could use environment friendly materials for the roof, and keep the road clean so that the rainwater quality will be improved. Thirdly, the utility systems could be operated in the new constructed communities, villas, hotels and schools first, where the technical basis is good. Besides, we could cooperate with developed countries, from which we learn the utility techniques. Last but not least, we could treat the rainwater differently. For example, the first flush is dirtier than the latter flush, and the rainwater on the roof is generally clearer than the water on the ground, so they can be saved in different tanks, processed in different manners and finally be used in different ways.
There are a number of ways to save water, and they all start with you.
#1
Monitor your water bill for unusually high use. Your bill and water meter are tools that can help you discover leaks.
#2
When washing dishes by hand, don't let the water run while rinsing. Fill one sink with wash water and the other with rinse water.
#3
Some refrigerators, air conditioners and ice-makers are cooled with wasted flows of water. Consider upgrading with air-cooled appliances for significant water savings.
#4
Adjust sprinklers so only your lawn is watered and not the house, sidewalk, or street.
#5
Run your clothes washer and dishwasher only when they are full. You can save up to 1,000 gallons a month.
#6
Choose shrubs and groundcovers instead of turf for hard-to-water areas such as steep slopes and isolated strips.
#7
Install covers on pools and spas and check for leaks around your pumps.
#8
Use the garbage disposal sparingly. Compost vegetable food waste instead and save gallons every time.
#9
Plant in the fall when conditions are cooler and rainfall is more plentiful.
#10
For cold drinks keep a pitcher of water in the refrigerator instead of running the tap. This way, every drop goes down you and not the drain.
#11
While staying in a hotel or even at home, consider reusing your towels.
#12
Water your lawn and garden in the morning or evening when temperatures are cooler to minimize evaporation.
#13
Wash your fruits and vegetables in a pan of water instead of running water from the tap.
#14
Spreading a layer of organic mulch around plants retains moisture and saves water, time and money.
#15
Use a broom instead of a hose to clean your driveway and sidewalk and save water every time.
#16
If your shower fills a one-gallon bucket in less than 20 seconds, replace the showerhead with a water-efficient model.
#17
Collect the water you use for rinsing fruits and vegetables, then reuse it to water houseplants.
#18
If water runs off your lawn easily, split your watering time into shorter periods to allow for better absorption.
#19
We're more likely to notice leaks indoors, but don't forget to check outdoor faucets, sprinklers and hoses for leaks.
#20
If you have an automatic refilling device, check your pool periodically for leaks.
#21
Check the root zone of your lawn or garden for moisture before watering using a spade or trowel. If it's still moist two inches under the soil surface, you still have enough water.
#22
When buying new appliances, consider those that offer cycle and load size adjustments. They're more water and energy efficient.
#23
Shorten your shower by a minute or two and you'll save up to 150 gallons per month.
#24
Upgrade older toilets with water efficient models.
#25
Adjust your lawn mower to a higher setting. A taller lawn shades roots and holds soil moisture better than if it is closely clipped.
#26
When cleaning out fish tanks, give the nutrient-rich water to your plants.
#27
Use sprinklers for large areas of grass. Water small patches by hand to avoid waste.
#28
Put food coloring in your toilet tank. If it seeps into the toilet bowl without flushing, you have a leak. Fixing it can save up to 1,000 gallons a month.
#29
When running a bath, plug the tub before turning the water on, then adjust the temperature as the tub fills up.
#30
Walkways and patios provide space that doesn't ever need to be watered. These useful "rooms" can also add value to your property.
#31
Collect water from your roof to water your garden.
#32
Designate one glass for your drinking water each day or refill a water bottle. This will cut down on the number of glasses to wash.
#33
Rather than following a set watering schedule, check for soil moisture two to three inches below the surface before watering.
#34
Install a rain sensor on your irrigation controller so your system won't run when it's raining.
#35
Don't use running water to thaw food. Defrost food in the refrigerator for water efficiency and food safety.
#36
Use drip irrigation for shrubs and trees to apply water directly to the roots where it's needed.
#37
Grab a wrench and fix that leaky faucet. It's simple, inexpensive, and you can save 140 gallons a week.
#38
Reduce the amount of lawn in your yard by planting shrubs and ground covers appropriate to your site and region.
#39
When doing laundry, match the water level to the size of the load.
#40
Teach your children to turn off faucets tightly after each use.
#41
Remember to check your sprinkler system valves periodically for leaks and keep the sprinkler heads in good shape.
#42
Use a water-efficient showerhead. They're inexpensive, easy to install, and can save you up to 750 gallons a month.
#43
Soak pots and pans instead of letting the water run while you scrape them clean.
#44
Don't water your lawn on windy days when most of the water blows away or evaporates.
#45
Water your plants deeply but less frequently to encourage deep root growth and drought tolerance.
#46
Know where your master water shut-off valve is located. This could save water and prevent damage to your home.
#47
To decrease water from being wasted on sloping lawns, apply water for five minutes and then repeat two to three times.
#48
Group plants with the same watering needs together to avoid overwatering some while underwatering others.
#49
Use a layer of organic material on the surface of your planting beds to minimize weed growth that competes for water.
#50
Use a minimum amount of organic or slow release fertilizer to promote a healthy and drought tolerant landscape.
#51
Trickling or cascading fountains lose less water to evaporation than those spraying water into the air.
#52
Use a commercial car wash that recycles water.
#53
Avoid recreational water toys that require a constant flow of water.
#54
Turn off the water while brushing your teeth and save 25 gallons a month.
#55
Use a rain gauge, or empty tuna can, to track rainfall on your lawn. Then reduce your watering accordingly.
#56
Encourage your school system and local government to develop and promote water conservation among children and adults.
#57
Learn how to shut off your automatic watering system in case it malfunctions or you get an unexpected rain.
#58
Set a kitchen timer when watering your lawn or garden to remind you when to stop. A running hose can discharge up to 10 gallons a minute.
#59
If your toilet flapper doesn't close after flushing, replace it.
#60
Make sure there are water-saving aerators on all of your faucets.
#61
Next time you add or replace a flower or shrub, choose a low water use plant for year-round landscape color and save up to 550 gallons each year.
#62
Install an instant water heater near your kitchen sink so you don't have to run the water while it heats up. This also reduces energy costs.
#63
Use a grease pencil to mark the water level of your pool at the skimmer. Check the mark 24 hours later to see if you have a leak.
#64
If your dishwasher is new, cut back on rinsing. Newer models clean more thoroughly than older ones.
#65
Use a trowel, shovel, or soil probe to examine soil moisture depth. If the top two to three inches of soil are dry it's time to water.
#66
If installing a lawn, select a turf mix or blend that matches your climate and site conditions.
#67
When you save water, you save money on your utility bills too. Saving water is easy for everyone to do.
#68
When the kids want to cool off, use the sprinkler in an area where your lawn needs it the most.
#69
Make sure your swimming pools, fountains, and ponds are equipped with recirculating pumps.
#70
Bathe your young children together.
#71
Consult with your local nursery for information on plant selection and placement for optimum outdoor water savings.
#72
Winterize outdoor spigots when temperatures dip below freezing to prevent pipes from leaking or bursting.
#73
Insulate hot water pipes for more immediate hot water at the faucet and for energy savings.
#74
Wash your car on the lawn, and you'll water your lawn at the same time.
#75
Drop your tissue in the trash instead of flushing it and save water every time.
#76
Direct water from rain gutters and HVAC systems toward water-loving plants in the landscape for automatic water savings.
#77
Make suggestions to your employer about ways to save water and money at work.
#78
Support projects that use reclaimed wastewater for irrigation and industrial uses.
#79
Use a hose nozzle or turn off the water while you wash your car. You'll save up to 100 gallons every time.
#80
Share water conservation tips with friends and neighbors.
#81
If your toilet was installed before 1992, reduce the amount of water used for each flush by inserting a displacement device in the tank.
#82
Setting cooling systems and water softeners for a minimum number of refills saves both water and chemicals, plus more on utility bills.
#83
Washing dark clothes in cold water saves both on water and energy while it helps your clothes to keep their colors.
#84
Leave lower branches on trees and shrubs and allow leaf litter to accumulate on the soil. This keeps the soil cooler and reduces evaporation.
#85
Report broken pipes, open hydrants and errant sprinklers to the property owner or your water provider.
#86
Let your lawn go dormant during the summer. Dormant grass only needs to be watered every three weeks or less if it rains.
#87
Plant with finished compost to add water-holding and nutrient-rich organic matter to the soil.
#88
Use sprinklers that deliver big drops of water close to the ground. Smaller water drops and mist often evaporate before they hit the ground.
#89
Listen for dripping faucets and running toilets. Fixing a leak can save 300 gallons a month or more.
#90
Water only when necessary. More plants die from over-watering than from under-watering.
#91
One more way to get eight glasses of water a day is to re-use the water left over from cooked or steamed foods to start a scrumptious and nutritious soup.
#92
Adjust your watering schedule each month to match seasonal weather conditions and landscape requirements.
#93
Turn off the water while you wash your hair to save up to 150 gallons a month.
#94
Wash your pets outdoors in an area of your lawn that needs water.
#95
When shopping for a new clothes washer, compare resource savings among Energy Star models. Some of these can save up to 20 gallons per load, and energy too.
#96
Apply water only as fast as the soil can absorb it.
#97
Aerate your lawn at least once a year so water can reach the roots rather than run off the surface.
#98
When washing dishes by hand, fill the sink basin or a large container and rinse when all of the dishes have been soaped and scrubbed.
#99
Catch water in an empty tuna can to measure sprinkler output. One inch of water on one square foot of grass equals two-thirds of a gallon of water.
#100
Turn off the water while you shave and save up to 300 gallons a month.
