Saving water: Tips for conservation

As the city of Santa Cruz prepares to implement water rationing on May 1 and the state remains in a state of severe drought, officials are offering a number of tips for residents on how to conserve water.

Turn off the tap when brushing teeth or shaving
Keep showers to 5 minutes and install flow restricting shower heads Fix all plumbing leaks Run dishwashers and clothes washers only when full Sweep paved areas instead of washing with a hose Utilize Santa Cruz city rebates to replace toilets, washing machines and turf. Consider buying a Watersense Ultra High Efficiency toilet, which uses 1 gallon or less per flush. ($150 rebate). When replacing your washing machine, choose a high efficiency, energy star labeled model ($100 rebate). Don’t use the toilet as a wastebasket for garbage or disposing of outdated medications. Properly repair and set irrigation systems to avoid run-off Water at night or during the cool parts of the day and don’t water if it is raining. Attach a shut-off nozzle to your hose. They are free from the city’s water conservation office. Collect shower water with a bucket while waiting for it it to heat up and use it to water your plants. Apply two to three inches of mulch to retain moisture in the soil and prevent weeds. Adjust your watering schedule with the weather and season. Cut your watering times in half during the fall and turn your timer off in the winter. Mow grasses higher, at 3 or 4 inches, to reduce water loss and promote healthy roots. Check your sprinkler system for leaks and breaks regularly. Make sure sprinklers are pointed at the plants and water is not running to waste. Don’t assume your plants need water. Check the soil moisture first using a soil probe or screw driver. Hand water or manually turn on irrigation valves rather than relying on an automatic timer. Select water-conserving plants which only need periodic watering when established.
Remove lawn that is not serving a functional purpose. Rebates are available from the city of Santa Cruz. Consider supplementing your irrigation with a rainwater catchment system or greywater.

More information is available on the city of Santa Cruz website.