Borrego Water District Suggested Conservation Resources
Last updated 6/18/2015 at 10:40am
A. Inside a home:
Take shorter showers, fill the bath tub with less water
Turn off running water when brushing teeth or washing hands
Wash only a full load of clothes
Use an efficient dishwasher instead of hand washing dishes
See Resources below for many more suggestions
Resources:
http://www.socalwatersmart.com, 888-376-3314
http://www.olivenhain.com/customer-service/save-water-save-money/48-water-
saving-tips/
http://www.sdcwa.org/sites/default/files/saveeveryday-fs.pdf
http://www.wateruseitwisely.com/100-ways-to-conserve
Install efficient clothes washer, dishwashers, toilets, shower heads
and “point of use” water heaters or retrofit recirculating systems for
an existing water heater
Rebates are available from SDGE – http://www.SDGE.com/save-money
Free sink aerators, shower heads and the like are available at:
Rebates may also become available from the State of California
B. Outside the home:
Promptly fix all leaks
Resource – BWD Handout: How to read your BWD meter
Only use a hose with a spray nozzle and a bucket to wash cars or wash your car
at a commercial facility in town
Vacuum patios and driveways instead of washing them down
Don’t allow a hose to run without a shutoff nozzle
Turn off decorative fountains, streams and water features for the summer
and do not refill before November 30, 2015
Pools should have both a cover and a recirculating system
Rebates from SDGE for variable speed pumps – see above
Do not exchange pool water until after November 30, 2015
Plan pool repairs for after November 30, 2015
C. In the Garden
Helpful tip:
Vegetation can be removed, replaced or weaned from an existing
water schedule:
When removing, where practicable, leave the roots to hold the soil and control dust
When replacing or adding plants do so in late fall when the weather is cooler and less water is need to establish the roots
When weaning an established oleander, tree or shrubs, cut back the plant’s foliage by the same percent water will be reduced (i.e. 25% less water = 25% less foliage). This reduces the stress on the plant and is particularly important during warm weather. Water may also be reduced in measured stages.
During the summer:
Turn the water off to plants slated to be replaced or removed
Routinely check water wells and repair blow outs
Cap or repair leaking irrigation
Install irrigation timers
Set timer to run over night, finishing close to dawn
Mulch beds to reduce evaporation
Retain a spring watering schedule until daytime temperatures regularly
exceed 100 degrees. Watch plants for evidence of stress.
Install more efficient watering system to activate when temperatures drop
After the summer temperatures drop:
Install and operate more efficient watering systems
Wean plants from summer schedule, keep overnight watering schedule
In place until cold temperatures arrive
Plant or transplant Drought resistant plants
Routinely check water wells and repair blow outs, repair leaks
After December 10, 2015:
Refill fountains, decorative water features in public areas if equipped with recirculating systems and refill or exchange water in pools, as required.
