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Water Saving Tips PDF Print E-mail

Residential: Indoors
 

Tips

Savings
Run the dishwasher only when full. 2-4.5 gallons per load
Turn off water when rinsing dishes. 2.5 gallons per minute
Turn off water when brushing teeth. 2 gallons per minute
Shorten showers. 2.5 gallons per minute
Fill the bathtub halfway while bathing. 15-25 gallons per bath
Don't use the toilet as a wastebasket. 1.6 gallons per flush
Wash only full loads of clothes. 15-50 gallons per load
Fix leaky toilets. 30-50 gallons per day per toilet
Fix leaky faucets. 15-20 gallons per day per leak
Install aerators with flow restrictors on kitchen/bathroom faucets. 4.7 gallons per day
Replace older, inefficient clothes washers. (For information on $175 Water Authority/SDG&E vouchers call 800-986-4538). 20-30 gallons per load
Replace older, high-volume flushing toilets. 2.2-3.8 gallons per flush

 

Residential: Landscape Irrigation
 

Tips

Savings
Water only before 6 a.m. and after 8 p.m. to reduce evaporation and interference from wind. 20-25 gallons per day
Don't overwater!
1) Reduce each irrigation cycle by 1-3 minutes, or eliminate one irrigation cycle per week. Also check out BeWaterWise.com to learn how much and often to water with the landscape calculator.
2) Water only after the top inch of soil is dry.
3) Reset irrigation controllers and replace batteries in the spring and fall.		 15-25 gallons for each minute; up to 250 gallons per cycle
Adjust sprinklers to prevent overspray and run-off. 15-25 gallons per day
Repair leaks and broken sprinkler heads. 20 gallons per day per leak
Add 2" to 3" of mulch around trees and plants to reduce evaporation. 20-30 gallons per day per 1,000 sq. ft.
Install water-efficient drip irrigation system for trees, shrubs, and flowers to get water to the plants' roots more efficiently. 20-25 gallons per day
Upgrade to a "smart irrigation controller" that automatically adjusts watering times for hotter weather, and shuts down the system when it rains. 40 gallons per day
Replace a portion of lawn with beautiful native and California Friendly plants. NOTE: These plants do best when planted after winter rains begin. 33 to 60 gallons per day per 1,000 sq. ft. depending on climate

 

Residential: Outdoor Areas
 

Tips

Savings
Use a broom instead of a hose to clean driveways and sidewalks. 8-18 gallons per minute
Eliminate or reduce use of power washing equipment. Instead, use brooms, dustpans, damp towels and wet-mops to eliminate grime. 8-18 gallons per minute
Adjust your pressure reducer (if you have one) to keep pressure between 40 and 60 p.s.i. Varies
Don't leave the hose running while washing your car. Get a self-closing nozzle to make it easier. 8-18 gallons per minute
Repair any leaks around pool and spa pumps. 20 gallons per day per leak
Repair leaking hose bibs. 15-20 gallons per day per leak
Install covers on pool and spas to reduce evaporation. 30 gallons per day
Install pressure reducer if your pressure is greater than 80 p.s.i. Varies

 

Commercial/Industrial

Tip

Savings
Utilize the Water Authority's Commercial, Industrial and Institutional Voucher Program to purchase water-efficient cooling tower conductivity controllers, toilets, urinals, connectionless food steamers, pre-rinse spray valves, water brooms, and high-efficiency clothes washers. * Varies by fixture

 

* Visit the San Diego County Water Authority's website, or call 800-986-4538, for information on the Voucher Incentive Program and Smart Landscape Program.

Commercial: Landscape Irrigation

Tips

Savings

Water only before 6 a.m. and after 8 p.m. to reduce evaporation and interference from wind.

20-25 gallons per day per valve

Don't over-water landscaping:
1) Cut irrigation to 2 or 3 days per week or use the landscape calculator at BeWaterWise.com to learn how much and often to water.
2) Water only after the top inch of soil is dry.
3) Reset irrigation controllers and replace batteries in the spring and fall.

25-50 gallons per valve for each minute of irrigation eliminated

Use a broom or blower instead of a hose to clean driveways and sidewalks.

150 gallons or more per use

Adjust sprinklers to prevent overspray and run-off.

15-20 gallons per day per valve

Repair leaks and broken sprinkler heads.

20 gallons per day per leak

Add 2" to 3" of mulch around trees and plants to reduce evaporation.

40 gallons per day per valve/hydrozone

Install water-efficient drip irrigation system for trees, shrubs, and flowers to get water to the plant's roots more efficiently.

20-25 gallons over day per valve/hydrozone

Upgrade to a "smart irrigation controller" that automatically adjusts watering times for hotter weather, and shuts down the system when it rains.

525 gallons/30-station controller

Replace a portion of lawn with beautiful native and California Friendly plants. These plants do best
when planted after winter rains begin.

33-60 gallons per day per valve

For multi-family sites, utilize the Water Authority's Smart Landscape Program to upgrade irrigation hardware and equipment to stop leaks, reduce water use, and otherwise improve irrigation efficiency. *

900 gallons per day per acre
Last Updated on Wednesday, 06 January 2010 10:08