Take Action

Now you can be the teacher! Be proactive and help teach others how to save water through water-wise lifestyles. Become a responsible citizen and steward of the environment and get involved with school and community environmental programs.
There are many ways to help conserve water. Not only are there mandatory methods based on the Water Conservation and Plumbing ordinances, but there are many voluntary methods that people can do to do their part.

Here are some ways you can teach and help others save water.

Voluntary Methods

• You can save water by taking short showers instead of baths. Try this experiment-plug the bathtub drain while taking a short shower ( 5 minutes), when you are finished, compare the water level to the water you would use for a bath. A full bathtub holds about 45 gallons of water.
• When you are brushing your teeth or washing your face, do not let the water run continuously. This can save between 10 to 20 gallons of water per person every day.
• You can save between 14 and 17 percent more water by doing only full loads in dishwashers and washing machines.
• If you use a dish-pan when washing dishes, you can carry the water outside and pour it on your own lawn and garden.
• Instead of running the tap water to get a cold drink, keep a container of drinking water in the refrigerator, and return unfinished drinking water to drink it later.
• When washing the car, use a bucket with warm soapy water and scrub with a sponge. Use the hose only for a quick final rinse, and remember to have a shut off nozzle. To save even more water, take it to a commercial carwash.
• A drip leak or a leak anywhere inside or outside the house can waste hundreds of gallons of water per day. Fix leaks soon and save money and water.
• Use a broom or blower instead of the hose to clean leaves or other trash from your driveway or sidewalk.
• Water the lawn early in the morning or late in the evening (before 10 a.m. or after 6 p.m.) and water only when the lawn needs it. You can help your parents pick out drought resistant plants when you are shopping at the nursery. Drought resistant plants are those plants that are suited for our hot dry summers.

• Observe Watering Days and Times (Odd ending addresses water Wed., Fri., Sun.; Even ending addresses water Tue., Thur., Sat.)
• Avoid letting water run onto the street or public right of way.
• Repair leaks within 5 days
• Residential car washing must have a shut-off nozzle and bucket
• Fundraiser car washes may only be conducted at commercial car wash facilities.
• Don't wash down impermeable surfaces, use a broom or blower