Water Conservation Tips

Water is earth’s most precious resource. With the Morongo Basin’s desert climate, unpredictable rainfall and growing population, we cannot take our water supply for granted. We must use water wisely to ensure we have an adequate, high-quality water supply, both now and in the future. Not only do conservation efforts help save this precious resource, they can also help reduce water bills. Conserving water is easy to do and an important part of ensuring we have a reliable water supply.

California is in a state of emergency for water conservation. The State Water Resource Control Board has directed water agencies to implement Stage II of their Water Shortage Contingency Plans. Please click on the link below to view the District’s mandatory water conservation regulations. Stage II  Regulations.

This page contains some simple steps you can take to save water (indoors and outside).

 

INDOOR

 

  • Take shorter showers. A one or two-minute reduction can save up to 700 gallons a month. Also, consider installing low-flow showerheads that can save 500 to 800 gallons a month.
  • If you don’t already have an Ultra Low-Flush toilet, put one in. Older toilets can use up to seven gallons per flush. The ULF toilets, using only 1.6 gallons or less per flush, can save your household up to 20 percent on total indoor water consumption for a family of four. Also avoid toilet water waste. Do not use it as a trash disposal.
  • Capture what you can. While waiting for hot water to reach your tap, catch the flow in a watering can to use later around the house or garden. This activity, which requires very little effort, saves 200 to 300 gallons a month.

  • Fix leaky faucets and plumbing joints. Savings of 20 gallons a day for every leak stopped will be achieved.

  • When washing dishes and clothes, run only full loads. Between 300 and 800 gallons a month in savings.
  • While brushing your teeth, doing dishes by hand, shaving or washing the car, don’t let the water run freely from the hose or faucet. Hundreds of gallons a month can be saved.

 

OUTDOOR

 

  • Do not over-water plants and landscape. Water your landscape only when it needs it. If you have a lawn, step on your grass. If it springs back when you lift your foot, it doesn’t need water. Accordingly, set your sprinklers for more days in between watering. This saves 750 to 1,500 gallons a month. For best results, try morning watering when evaporation loss is at a minimum. Be sure to adjust your sprinklers to avoid water runoff into streets and gutters. This saves 500 gallons a month. In times of drought, water with a hose.
  • Avoid washing down paved areas. Use a broom instead of a hose to clean driveways and sidewalks. This effort saves 150 gallons or more each time.
  • When washing the car use a bucket of water. Use the hose only to rinse.
  • Create your own water-wise landscape. By following the basic principles of water-wise landscaping, you will arrive at beautiful landscape solutions that work in the Southern California climate.

To learn more about conserving water in your yard, download the District’s Native Landscaping Brochure.

 

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