As of December 2013, critically low water table levels and low lake levels are threatening the water systems managed by Special Districts and weather experts are predicting dry conditions continuing into the next year.
The Department of Water Resources is urging local water agencies to brace for a third dry year and acute water shortages by next summer. Gov. Jerry Brown has declared a State of Emergency due to drought conditions.
Water managers are comparing the impending drought conditions to those of 1976-1977, the most severe modern drought in the region.
Leaky toilets waste a lot of water! Did you know that your toilet could have a leak that you may not even know about? To test your toilet for "invisible leaks" place a few drops of food coloring or a dye tablet into the toilet’s tank. Wait a few minutes and if the coloring appears in the bowl, you have a leak!
A leaky faucet that drips just two tablespoons per minute can waste 15 gallons per day, which is 105 gallons per week and 5,460 per year!!! So remember – fix those leaks!
Check your piping system for leaks by turning off all faucets and appliances, and watching the dial on your water meter. If it moves and you have done the first two checks, you have leaks in the piping after the meter. Identify and repair immediately.
Don’t use the toilet as a wastebasket! Regular toilets use 5 to 7 gallons of water per flush! (Low-flow toilets only use about 1.5 gallons per flush).
Use a toilet tank dam or water bottle in your toilet’s tank. This will help displace the water, allowing the toilet to use less water after each flush.
Install low-flow shower heads or faucet aerators.
Don’t allow the water to run when brushing your teeth. This can waste two gallons of water! Instead, wet your toothbrush, brush your teeth, and then turn the water on again to rinse.
Don’t wash sidewalks, driveways, patios, and so on. Use a broom or vac.
While car washing, use a shut-off nozzle on the hose. Wash with a bucket of soapy water, and then rinse with the spray nozzle.
Don’t water the street, sidewalk and gutter when you sprinkle the shrubs and lawn.
Don’t use water to keep dust down. Consider gravel or paving instead.
Use your dishwasher and washing machines only for full loads!
Keep a pitcher of tap water in the refrigerator. Letting the water run to cool off is wasteful.
Water your lawn only when it needs it! A good way to determine if your lawn needs watering is to step on it. If it springs back up, no watering is needed. If it remains flat, time to water!
Only water your lawn in the early morning or late afternoon. Watering during the middle of the day allows the majority of the water to evaporate and can cause burned grass. Watering at night attracts bugs, mostly those unwanted mosquitoes!
Don’t water when it’s windy! Your water will go everywhere but your lawn! Also, make sure the sprinkler is aimed at your lawn, not the street or sidewalk – they don’t need to grow!
Use a broom instead of the hose to clean your driveway or sidewalk.
Install a trigger nozzle on your outside hose. This will allow the water to be automatically turned off when the hose is not in use.