Save Our Water
California’s water agencies want you to reduce your water use – and they have the tools to help!
The state is struggling through a drought that officials said could last a few more years. The last major drought lingered for six years, from 1986 through 1991. Statewide water runoff dipped to 53% of normal in 2007 and to 58% in 2008, according to state officials. The forecast for 2010 looks better, but officials say reservoirs are still in need of a lot more water.
Be Water Aware
The California Water Awareness Campaign is a year-long effort by organizations throughout California to heighten public awareness about the conservation, supply, quality, and distribution of water. The site contains tips for consumers and educational information for teachers.
Conservation
The Central Basin Municipal Water District is a public agency that provides imported water supplies to local water retailers. This agency provides rebates and water saving tips for homes and businesses.
Their Shut Your Tap! website provides valuable information on ways to use water more efficiently and protect our most precious natural resource for the short and long-run.
Water Conservation Tips & Drought Guidebook
The California Department of Water Resources has put together a Water Conservation Tips sheet and a Urban Drought Guidebook. Both are a good source of information regarding ways you can reduce your water use.
Particularly useful is information for calculating water use based on evapotranspiration rates. The site includes an extensive plant lists with pictures and and explanation of water and soil requirements.
H2Ouse - Water Saver Home
The California Urban Water Conservation Council has put together a virtual home that demonstrates the many ways you can help conserve water in your own abode. Take the tour to investigate your water saving opportunities and learn more about household water conservation.
WaterSense
WaterSense, a partnership program sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, makes it easy for Americans to save water and protect the environment. Look for the WaterSense label to choose quality, water-efficient products. Many products are available, and don't require a change in your lifestyle. Explore the this link to learn about WaterSense labeled products, saving water, and how businesses and organizations can partner with WaterSense.
Water Conservation In Your Backyard
Wise use of water for garden and lawn watering not only helps protect the environment, but saves money and provides for optimum growing conditions. Use this resource by the Natural Resources Conservation Service to learn simple ways of reducing the amount of water used for irrigation.
Watering Calculator
The Watering Calculator is intended to be used with zip codes for urban Southern California. It was developed by the city of San Diego. It is a tool that estimates the right amount of water to give your landscape or garden every week. The service is provided by the Metropolitan Water District and The Family of Southern California Water Agencies.
Waterwiser Drip Calculator
The Drip Calculator can show you how much water is being wasted at your home or business due to leaky faucets and fixtures.
Residential Water Conservation Techniques
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released this simple computer program in 1991 that shows a multiude of ways to save water in your home and protect the environment, all while saving money as well. Though a bit aged, the program still provides vital information for any individual seeking to help conserve.
WATERGY Software
WATERGY is a spreadsheet model that uses water/energy relationship assumptions to analyze the potential of water savings and associated energy savings. The spreadsheet allows input of utility data (energy and water cost and consumption data for the most recent twelve months) and facility data (number and kind of water consuming/moving devices and their water consumption and/or flow rates). It then estimates direct water, direct energy, and indirect energy annual savings, as well as total cost and payback times for a number of conservation methods.
Water Replenishment District
The Water Replenishment District offers a range of water conservation information on their site. They manage groundwater supplies in the Central and West Coast basins in Los Angeles county -- nearly four million residents in 43 cities of southern Los Angeles County. The 420 square mile service area uses about 250,000 acre-feet of groundwater per year, which equates to nearly 40% of the total demand for water.
Flex Your Power
Flex Your Power's website is a resource for energy efficiency and conservation information. Find incentives/rebates, technical assistance, retailers, product guides, case studies and more.
California Droughts Background
The California Department of Water Resources has put together an informative backgroud page providing historical facts/trends concerning drought in California, and is a good resource to gain a greater perspective on the most recent drought concerns.
Drought Recommendations
from The California Landscape Contractors Association
Landscaping is an important part of any community, not only from the joy it brings, but the quality of life that it provides to humans and other species as well. Plants positively alter our environment, reduce carbon emissions, improve air quality, protect the land, provide us food, create oxygen and sustain life. As our climate changes we need to protect our plants, adapt to our changing environment and make choices that benefit us all and preserve our future.
