To maximize your household water use efficiency, it is recommended that you retrofit your faucet aerators to lower flow, use 1.5 gallon per minute showerheads, and replace older toilets with high-efficiency toilets (rebates up to $200). The District provides free low-flow aerators, but they are also available at your local hardware store.
Smart Irrigation and Landscaping Strategies
- Water your lawns early, before sunrise or after sunset. This maximizes water absorption into the soil and minimizes evaporation loss.
- Water your lawn only when needed. Most plants do not need to be watered every day & excess watering not only wastes water, but can harm plants.
- Make sure your sprinklers are leak-proof and not aimed on sidewalks, streets or driveways.
- Landscape with Mediterranean-climate or plants that do not require much water.
- Set mower blades to 4" high and keep them sharp.
- Use a trigger or automatic shut-off nozzle on your hose.
- Use mulch around trees and plants.
- Suspend your irrigation after each rain event (installation of a rain shutoff switch could earn you a rebate)
- Use drip irrigation or soaker hoses to water trees, shrubs, and flower beds.
- Integrate rocks, bricks, gravel and decks into your landscaping.
In the Bathroom
- Take five-minute or less showers.
- Turn off the water while brushing your teeth or shaving.
- Check and fix "silent" leaks in toilets or plumbing fixtures.
In the Kitchen or Laundry
- Only wash laundry with full loads.
- Use a bowl or put a little water in the sink to clean vegetables.
- Use your garbage disposal sparingly.
- Don't thaw food with hot water; instead use a microwave.
- If you pre-clean dishes, put a little water in the sink up instead of running the water.
- Keep a gallon of cold water in the refrigerator rather than running the tap for cold water.
- Insulate your pipes to save heating costs.
Outdoors
- Wash the car with a bucket instead of the hose.
- Use a broom instead of water to clean your sidewalks and driveways.