Conservation: Working Together to Meet Our Goals
In November 2009, Governor Schwarzenegger signed Senate Bill 7 into law. This bill requires that water retailers in the state of California achieve a 20% reduction in their customers' water usage by December 31, 2020.
Cal Water offers a variety of traditional and innovative programs to help you conserve, including:
- Rebates on select water-efficient appliances for both home and business.
- Many high-efficiency plumbing fixtures — including showerheads and hose nozzles — available to our customers at no charge.
- Educational materials on a variety of topics, including conservation gardening, checking for leaks around the house, and more.
- Conservation-related events and school programs.
But, in the end, water conservation comes down to you, the customer. Even a small effort can add up to a lot of savings. With that in mind, here are some ways you can help us meet California's conservation goals:
- If you see a problem with a water pipe, such as water coming up through a crack in the street, report it to Cal Water immediately.
- Hunt down and fix leaks all around your house. This includes leaky pipes, faucets, and hoses, and toilets that may have slow, quiet leaks (you can use a dye tablet in your toilet tank to check for these "hidden" leaks).
- If you have a dishwasher or washing machine, only run full loads. Even if your machine has a setting for partial loads, you'll save more water by only running it when it's full.
- Make sure that all of your faucets have high-efficiency aerators. A faucet aerator can make a small stream of water do the work of a significantly larger stream.
- Speaking of faucets, don't leave them running when you're not actively using water. This is true whether you're brushing your teeth, shaving, using a garden hose, or washing dishes by hand.
- Keep your showers as short as practical, and make sure you have a high-efficiency showerhead.
- Don't use a garden hose to clean paved areas — stick with a broom. And if you use a hose to wash your car, use a shut-off hose nozzle or, even better, a bucket of water.
- If you have a pool, keep it covered when it's not in use. You can lose a significant amount of water through evaporation. And watch for signs that your pool might be leaking. Even a small leak in a pool can waste a lot of water.
Visit www.calwater.com/conservation to learn more about programs available in your area, apply for an appliance rebate, request water-saving fixtures, and find other ways that Cal Water can help you conserve water.