It’s true, and, now it is more pressing than ever: California is in a drought emergency.

 

The water supply is not enough for everyone, and despite some rains, water conservation is extremely important. Did you know that if everyone in the United States saved just one gallon of water each day, we could save over a 100 billion gallons of water in a year — and that’s enough to fill Lake Superior seven times! Here are some tips … follow them and saving water will be a breeze!

 

 

• Keep drinking water in the fridge during the summer — the hot days are coming! — so you won’t have to wait for water to come out cold when you take it from the faucet.

 

• Don’t leave the water running while brushing your teeth.

 

• Fix leaky faucets, and remember to turn them off tightly when you’re done using them — this can save about 2,700 gallons a month.

 

• Use full loads when washing dishes or clothes. Alternatively, if you’re using a smaller load while washing clothes, make sure the water setting is on low. You can save over a 1,000 gallons a month!

 

• With flu cases on this rise, it is important to wash your hands for at least 20 seconds to get rid of the germs on your hands. But letting the water run is such a waste of this precious resource … so don’t forget to turn the water off while you lather!

 

• Buy water-saving appliances. Not only will you save water, you’ll also save money.

 

• Use low-flow shower heads. In the long run, they make a tremendous difference in the water usage of your home.

 

• Just shortening your shower by a minute or two can save up to 150 gallons a month!

 

• Wash your fruits and vegetables in a pan of water instead of under running water. Then, use the pan water to water your plants.

 

Outdoors:

 

• Don’t water your garden when it rains. Set the timer on sprinklers so they water the plants when the sun is not out. That way, the water doesn’t evaporate before it even gets absorbed by the plants.

 

• Even better, use a drip system to almost eliminate all water waste.

 

• Use drought-resistant plants. You’ll have to water them less than regular plants.

 

• Use the water left in pet bowls to water your plants.

 

• Sweep the driveway instead of hosing it down to save water.

 

• If your lawn allows water to run off easily, then split your watering time into shorter periods so the grass can absorb it better.

 

• Reduce the area of lawn. Instead, plant shrubs and native species that use a lot less water.

 

• Don’t water on windy days when the water can be easily blown away or evaporate.

 

• Use a watering system or sprinkler that gives out heavier droplets of water (similar to rain) rather than a mist which gets blown away or evaporated.

 

• Water plants deeply, but not frequently, to encourage them to grow a deep root system that is tolerant to drought.

 

Last but not least … share these water-saving tips with your family and friends! Together, we can help make sure our rivers and lakes keep flowing, and waves keep rolling!