 • Where Our Water Comes From • Water Quality • Water Conservation • Rebates |
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Water Conservation The Sacramento region received far below average rainfall during the 2011-12 rainy season. The snowpack in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, where most of the District's water supply originates, was also about half of what it would be in a normal year. Fortunately, the previous year's abundant rain and snowfall left enough reserves in upstream reservoirs for the District to receive its full allocation of water for 2012. Regardless of how much water supply is available, we ask customers to always use water efficiently. Water Conservation Stages Click here for a complete list of District Water Conservation Stages and requirements. Water Conservation Tips Water your landscape only when needed - Most experts recommend infrequent deep watering to promote a healthy landscape and efficient watering. Reduce your watering time and frequency during cooler weather and during the spring and fall when days are shorter. Make sure to shut off your irrigation system during rainy periods when Mother Nature is providing all the water your landscape needs. Keep it short & cool - Watering for shorter, more frequent intervals allows the water to soak into the ground rather than run off into the gutter or roadside ditch. Watering between midnight and 10 a.m. will also minimize evaporation. Mow your lawn longer - Keeping your lawn a little longer (about three inches high) during summer months will keep it healthier because there is more surface area on the grass and the longer blades help reduce the amount of water it needs by providing more shade to the soil. This is also the best time to mulch your lawn, rather than bag mow, as it will provide additional shade and reduces the amount of water your lawn needs. Mulch those flower beds - Applying mulch to plants and shrubs will help to keep the soil cooler in the summer months ahead, and reduce water evaporation. Know your plants - Read the instructions on how to most efficiently water your shrubs and plants and adjust your watering as needed. Most shrubs and plants - particularly rose bushes - require significantly less water than your lawn. Check for and fix leaky pipes - Leaks in your system will cost you money. Leaks commonly include running toilets and broken sprinkler heads. Inspect your pipes, both indoors and outdoors, for evidence of leaks. If any are leaking, we ask that you repair them immediately, saving you both water and money. A continuous leak from a hole as small as ¼ inch in diameter would waste more than one million gallons of water in three months. Please note that the following graphic is for comparative purposes only. Due to differences in computer monitors, the circles on the graphic do not represent actual sizes.
Fix leaky toilets and faucets - A faucet dripping at the rate of only one drip per second will waste 34 gallons of water in a month's time. Toilets that leak and run continuously will waste considerably more water. Fixing these leaks will save water and money. Install ultra-low-flush or high-efficiency toilets - If your home or business does not already have water-efficient toilets, now is great time to consider having them installed. CHWD offers rebates to help offset the cost, and these toilets can save the typical household up to 650 gallons of water each month. Run dishwashers and washing machines only when full Know the location of your main shut off valve - If a pipe bursts, you will be able to shut off the water immediately. If a pipe bursts and you are unable to shut off the water, call CHWD at (916) 725-6873 for assistance. Look for the District's new water conservation table tents in your favorite restaurant reminding you to conserve water. For information about the District's free irrigation analysis offer, click here or call (916) 725-6873 to schedule an appointment. Visit the following links for more water conservation information and tips.
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