Conservation 101: the Compete to Conserve Blog

Conserving water in the long term can be a costly endeavor. But with a range of options to choose from, investments can be made as the funds become available. Here are some examples:

1. Install a low-flow showerhead in all of your bathrooms
2. Install a low-flow faucet aerator on all your household faucets
3. Install a smart sprinkler controller
4. Opt for energy efficient/water efficient appliances, like an on-demand hot water system
5. Replace toilet—largest water user— look for low flush or dual flush models
6. Replace clothes washer—second largest water user—for Energy Star-rated one, which have Water Factor at or lower than 9.5
7. Choose climate appropriate plants and proper irrigation for your landscaping
8. Install irrigation controller has rain shutoff device or opt for weather adjusting ET irrigation controller that waters only when plants need
9. Use organic mulch around plants to reduce evaporation
10. Opt for a greywater reuse system
11. Install a rainwater harvesting system as supplementary outdoor water supply
12. Seal water pipes and external taps to prevent bursts in cold weather

Local water providers may offer more information and potential incentives, so don’t hesitate to check out their websites for deals.

List of Resources for More Info on Conserving H2O

• Be Waterwise: www.bewaterwise.com
• California Urban Water Conservation Council: http://www.cuwcc.org/home.html
• Department of Water Resources (Water Conservation and Water Use Efficiency Links): http://watersupplyconditions.water.ca.gov/water_links.cfm
• The Nature Conservancy:http://www.nature.org/tncscience/bigideas/people/art23907.html
• Treehugger.com:www.treehugger.com

Looking to conserve water? Here are some options you can do without spending a penny—and potentially saving a few:

1. Turn water off when brushing teeth, washing dishes, soaping up in the shower, shaving, etc.
2. “Selective flush”—aka “if it’s yellow, let it mellow…”
3. Wash vegetables and fruit in a bowl rather than under a running tap
4. Keep a basin/bucket in your sink/shower to reuse extra water on landscape
5. Shorten showers (even a minute or two could save up to 5 gallons per day)
6. Fill the bathtub only as much as needed—and make sure drain plug works!
7. Use the minimum amount required when boiling water in pans and kettles
8. Reuse bathwater for plants, but watch for high-levels of phosphates, nitrates and boron from soap—could be harmful for some plant types
9. Find and Fix Leaks (faucets and pipes, indoors and outdoors)
10. Wash only full loads of laundry/dishes (and consider air-drying)
11. Water only when/what your plants need (use oven timer when watering manually)
12. Water your yard before 8 a.m.
13. Collect rainwater in bucket and use a watering can instead of a hose
14. Use broom instead of hose to clean driveway/walkway/sidewalk
15. Consider periodically turning off water treatment systems that consume water–such as reverse osmosis systems and some water softeners—or programming the regeneration and cleaning processes for between 2:00 and 5:00 a.m.
16. Wash car using a bucket and sponge, and rinse with a watering can
17. Learn to read your water meter

The California Urban Water Conservation Council also offers a Water Budget Calculator, which could be a great way to get a handle on how much water is flowing in your home, and where you can save.

List of Resources for More Info on Conserving H2O

1. Be Waterwise:www.bewaterwise.com
2. California Urban Water Conservation Council: http://www.cuwcc.org/home.html
3. Department of Water Resources (Water Conservation and Water Use Efficiency Links): http://watersupplyconditions.water.ca.gov/water_links.cfm
4. The Nature Conservancy:http://www.nature.org/tncscience/bigideas/people/art23907.html
5. Treehugger.com:www.treehugger.com