What We Can Do to Reduce Our Water Footprint -- Resources / Rebates -- and a Call to Action!

Climate change is here and we are facing a serious drought.

On July 8, Gov. Gavin Newsom asked California residents to curb household water consumption by 15% as drought conditions worsen and temperatures continue to rise across the western United States. If achieved, a voluntary 15% water reduction statewide would save roughly 850,000 acre-feet of water, which is enough to supply 1.7 million households for a year, according to the governor’s office. 

What does a 15% reduction look like?

The State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB)’s report showed that the Average Residential Water Use in 2016 was 85 Gallons Per Person Per Day.   If you presently use 85 gallons of water per day, a 15% reduction would be about 12.73 gallons per day.

Where Do You Consume the Most Water?

There is an interactive water calculator at Watercalculator.org.  The computer program asks all sorts of questions, some of which don't apply to you. It also asks about shopping habits. It is creating a footprint of your overall water usage. In the results portion of the program, you can scroll down and get tips on each item.  Visit https://www.watercalculator.org/educational-resources/for-teachers/. It might surprise you how much water is used outside. According to mofga.org, about 40% of water from homes in the summer is used outdoors.

Water Resources and Rebates

New Rebates Available: Water-Conserving Products through Solano County Water Agency.

For detailed information visit---https://www.scwa2.com/.../rebates.../residential-rebates/

You can find rebates for Water Conserving products (like pool covers, rain barrels, and more), and High-Efficiency Washer Rebates (washers on the list), and Drought Irrigation Controllers, and a rebate for installing Water Efficient Landscape.  The rebate program applies to purchases made from January 1, 2017, through June 30, 2022

For resources, blogs, and contact information, go to https://www.scwa2.com/water-efficiency/tips-resources/

What We Can Do to Reduce Our Water Footprint

The Save Our Water campaign provided critical resources for Californians during the 2012-2016 drought and it provides some today. Some water-saving tips are listed below and some additional ideas can be found at https://saveourwater.com/.

Some ideas that can be used to reduce outside water use, we can -------

Collect and recycle rinsing water to add to plants: plant native plants, use mulch and organic matter, use aqua cones (pictured) or aqua spikes and add moisture-holding crystal products to the soil.  The cones screw onto water bottles which lets you repurpose your old plastic water or soda bottle into a handy watering device. The cone brings water down to plant roots, reducing surface evaporation.  Be sure the aqua cones are threaded.  You can watch a video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yeVdHXyVcZs   

To reduce inside water use in the house, we can --------  

• Check to see the toilet is a low flush toilet.  Sometimes, the low flow indicator of 1.6 is shown on the inside of the toilet lid.  If you have other than a low flush toilet, you can add a plastic water bottle filled with some rocks at the bottom and then filled with water to the top of the bottle.  Seal the bottle tightly. Be sure to secure the bottle to the tank somehow to keep it from hindering other mechanisms. Old toilets can use up to 6 gallons of water per flush.
• For showers, you can keep a tub or bucket to save the excess water.  
• Use energy star products.  An energy star washing machine uses about 13 gallons per load.  An old washing machine uses about 25-26 gallons per load. A new energy star dish washer uses about 3 gallons per cycle. Dishwashers manufactured before 1994 can use as much as 9-14 gallons per cycle.
• Capture sink rinse water.
• Use low flow faucet and shower heads.  Old shower heads use greater than 2.5 gallons of water per minute.   A 20-minute shower that uses 2.5 gallons per minute uses 50 gallons of water.
• Recycle gray water.    See if your city has a gray water program.

Summary

“It’s time for Californians to pull together once again to save water,” said California Natural Resources Agency Secretary Wade Crowfoot. “All of us need to find every opportunity to save water where we can: limit outdoor watering, take shorter showers, turn off the water while brushing your teeth or washing dishes. Homeowners, municipalities, and water diverters can help by addressing leaks and other types of water loss, which can account for over 30 percent of water use in some areas.”

By using water wisely, you help stretch our water supply. This reduces harm to vulnerable communities, fish, and wildlife. It also saves energy and money.

My Hope is That Everyone takes up the Call- to- Action Items Below:

1. Evaluate your water usage at Watercalulator.com
2. Consider applying for water rebates at https://www.scwa2.com/water-efficiency/rebates-programs/residential-rebates/ 
3. Apply at least one idea to save water and share it on Facebook.  If you Share on Facebook, Use 1 or more hashtags like--- #saveourwater  #rainwaterharvest  #waterconservation #sustainability #savenature #climatechange  #smartpeople  #cawater   #drought
4. Post your water-saving tips on LWVSC’s Facebook page under the -Save Our Water Picture or add a saying in the message area under the picture.  You can add a saying from the link https://www.skydrop.com/water-conservation-slogans/  To post on our Facebook page, go to  https://www.facebook.com/LWVSolanoCounty