Cut down on your water bills -Water Conservation Tips
Easy Ways to Save Water Indoors
You can learn more by going The Alliance for Water Awareness and Conservation
Stop Leaks A small leak can waste as much as 170 gallons of water in 24 hours, and much more if the leaks are larger. Often, the problem can be easily solved by replacing the faucet washers.
Use Full Loads in Dishwashers and Clothes Washing Machines.
Replace Water-Guzzling Toilets With Low-Flush Models.
Replace Shower heads With Low-flow Alternatives New shower heads provide a strong spray while saving water - and the energy needed to heat the water.
Check for Leaks Leaks waste water and money.
How to Check for Leaks You may have a leak inside or outside your home or business without even knowing it. A small leak can waste hundreds of gallons of water each month. Check toilets, pipes, hoses, faucets, and connections both indoors and outdoors at least once a year. Following are tips to help you determine if you have a leak.
Take Shorter Showers
Checking Your Water Meter for Leaks
Your water meter is usually located wherever the water line enters your property.
Turn off all of the water inside and outside.
Look for the red needle on the meter and note where it's pointed. (If you don't see a red needle, you probably have a different type of meter. Contact your local water provider for assistance.)
Wait 10 minutes or more and look at the red needle again.
If it has moved and you can't account for the difference by a humidifier, toilet flush, ice-cube maker, or other use, you probably have a leak.
Use a water conserving toilet fixture - Learn more here
Checking Your Toilet for Leaks
The most common source of leaks is the toilet, so check here first for the leak by following these easy steps:
Drop some food coloring or dye tablets in the toilet tank.
Don't flush for 15 minutes.
If you see color in the bowl, you probably have a leak, which will require further investigation.
How To Replace a Worn Toilet Flapper Most toilet leaks are either at the overflow pipe or the flapper valve. If you're a do-it-yourself-er, you can probably handle the job by following the steps below. Otherwise, call a plumber.
To replace a toilet flapper, just follow these easy steps for most common types of flappers: 1. Turn off the water to the toilet. 2. Flush the toilet several times. 3. Remove the flapper from its side hooks on the overflow tube. 4. Remove the chain. 5. Install the new flapper, connecting it to the side hooks and chain. 6. Turn the water to the toilet back on.
Easy Ways to Save Water Outdoors
Use drought-tolerant and native plants, which require less water and are often easier to maintain. Group plants with similar watering needs.
Use a 2-3 inch thick layer of mulch such as rock, bark, gravel, wood chips, or compost around trees and plants.
During warmer months, water at night or early morning to avoid evaporation. Don't forget to change those watering hours during freezing temperatures.
Avoid over watering and irrigation runoff. Shorter, more frequent watering is usually best.
Limit turf because grass is the biggest water user of all - turf can use more water than your whole family every day! Set your lawnmower to cut higher. The longer grass blades will shade and cool the roots.
Adjust sprinklers to water plants only — not sidewalks, driveways, patios, or streets. Maintain your sprinkler heads and valves to avoid creating hazards on sidewalks and streets!
Equip swimming pools, fountains, and ponds with recirculating pumps. Use a pool cover and check for leaks. Uncovered pools can lose up to 100 gallons per day to evaporation!
Month-by-Month Water Wise Landscape Gardening and Watering Schedule
You can learn more by going The Alliance for Water Awareness and Conservation
January
Frost is likely on dry, windless, clear nights this month.
Watering Schedule: 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
To prevent ice forming on driveway and sidewalks, water only during the warm time of day.
Wrap irrigation valves and pipes to protect from freezing
Turn off irrigation timers if it rains
Apply mulch around plants to retain water and soil, and feed nutrients into soil with each rain
Prune roses and summer-blooming deciduous fruit trees
Don't prune frost-damaged plants until spring growth appears
Plant bare-root trees and shrubs now through early March
Mulch around plants and under downspouts with bark, compost, or gravel
Keep plants watered to help prevent frost damage
February
Good month to control winter weeds before they flower.
Watering Schedule: 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Avoid running sprinklers on windy days - you'll think your plants have received water, but most moisture may have gone into the air.
Plant ground covers, bulbs, low-water use plants and natives if you missed fall planting season
Plant bare-root trees and shrubs through early March
Prune evergreens now, but not later in spring or summer
Prune the rest of your summer-blooming deciduous fruits and nut trees, roses, and dormant shrubs
Fertilize perennials and trees with slow-release plant food (most natives and drought-adapted plants don't need fertilizer)
Water trees deeply to prepare for spring growth surge (deep roots protect trees from blowing over)
March
Warm, mild weather this month prompts rapid growth of plants, as well as insect pests.
Watering Schedule: 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Replace batteries in your irrigation clocks when Daylight Savings Time starts.
Plant perennials as early as possible this month if you missed the fall planting season
Transplant Joshua trees and Yuccas from March to mid-April
Teach plants to grow deeply for moisture. In spring, for average soils, water deeply only every 2-3 weeks
Check aphids on new growth, wash off with strong jet of water
Get rid of weeds while they are small, especially before they reseed
April
Color season is reaching its peak - spend time outside enjoying it!
Watering Schedule: 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Test run your irrigation system to check for leaks and spray heads that are broken or out of adjustment.
Reset irrigation schedules and increase watering time as temperatures rise
Work compost or soil amendments into planting beds to improve moisture retention as summer approaches
Plant cold tender perennials, preferably in pots so winter protection is easier
Keep mulch on the soil - especially with organic matter such as leaves, bark, or chipped wood - to temper the drying and heating effect of the sun; irrigation will be more effective with less frequency and quantity
Continue pulling weeds before they form seed heads (if weeds are brown, you waited too long); you'll have fewer weed problems later
May - Water Awareness Month
Rising temperatures cause changes in plants.
Watering Schedule: Before 9:00 am - After 6:00 pm
Due to warmer weather, it is best to water during the early morning and late evening hours to reduce evaporation.
Change watering schedule from mid-day to early morning or evening as weather heats up to minimize loss through evaporation
Maintain a good mulch of organic matter covering garden soil throughout the summer to hold in moisture
Remove (deadhead) spent flowers unless you want to collect seeds to stimulate repeat blooming
June
Good season to plant or transplant palms or cacti
Watering Schedule: Before 9:00 am - After 6:00 pm
Take a few minutes each week to check your sprinklers for excess run-off. You'll save water and save money on your water bill.
Prune fast-growing trees like mesquite, palo verde, and acacias to reduce chances of wind damage; don't remove more than 20 percent of a plant's foliage at any one time to avoid stress or sunburn on trunk and branches
Keep adding to mulches throughout the summer to conserve water, keep roots cool, and deter weeds. Water well before applying the mulch (or through an opening in the mulch)
Continue to deadhead spent flowers for a longer bloom cycle
July - Irrigation Efficiency Month
Smart water-wise practices pay off now: Climate-adapted plants + mulch + deep watering = Less water use
Watering Schedule: Before 9:00 am - After 6:00 pm
If water runs off your lawn and flows into the gutter, allow it time to soak into the soil; apply water for only 3 to 4 minutes - wait an hour, then repeat.
Check irrigation emitters, valves, and lines for clogs, leaks, and breaks
Flush out lines by removing end caps with your water system on; sand or deposits that build up in lines can clog emitters
If you water by hand, leave dripping hose at drip line of trees and shrubs to deeply soak soil once a month; set a timer to remind you to move hose to next plant
Keep adding to mulches as they decompose to conserve water, keep roots cool, and reduce frequency of watering
Encourage repeat blooming by planting or cutting back annuals, perennials and shrubs
August Good month to sit back and enjoy your garden, few chores besides watering and grooming
Watering Schedule: Before 9:00 am - After 6:00 pm
Reduce your water bill during peak temperatures by cutting just one watering day per week out of your daily lawn sprinkler schedule
Walk irrigation lines to check for clogs, leaks, and breaks
Deadhead spent flowers, trim off dead flowering stems (save seeds for replanting)
Continue deep-watering trees and shrubs once a month
Keep adding to mulches to conserve water, keep soil and roots cool, and reduce frequency of watering
September Mid-September to mid-October starts the most important planting season of the year
Watering Schedule: Before 9:00 am - After 6:00 pm
Water - are you using it wisely? Find out today by contacting your local water district for assistance and information.
Plant native and drought-tolerant plants; warm soil helps new plants develop deep roots before summer, reducing water needs during the new plants' entire two- to three- year establishment period
Fall opportunity to transplant Joshua trees and Yucca trees from late September to October
Reduce water to cactus and succulents to prepare them for winter rest and protect against frost damage
Protect against wildfire as Santa Ana winds start; prune dead limbs, clean away brush, and clean leaves from gutters
October Take advantage of fall planting season to develop summer-ready plants.
Watering Schedule: Before 9:00 am - After 6:00 pm
As the weather cools down, grass, shrubs, and trees need less water. Reduce the amount of time and the number of days per week that you water.
Continue to plant native, drought-tolerant and other perennial plants and trees; fall plantings develop deep roots while soils are still warm
Adjust irrigation timers as nights get longer and cooler. Simply making monthly changes to your irrigation schedule can save more water and money than any other thing you can do
Fall annuals abound in nurseries, but are mostly high water-use; consider using them only near entries, on patios, and in containers. Plant perennials and bulbs for lower maintenance and water use
November
Last chance for fall planting season while roots are still active.
Watering Schedule: 9:00 am to 6:00 pm
To prevent damage to your sprinkler system during freezing temperatures, water supply should be turned off.
You may continue planting this month even with cooler temperatures, but plants will establish roots more slowly than earlier in fall. Finish planting California natives
Plant seeds for spring and summer blooms; choose mix of western wild flowers with annuals and perennials for long-lasting color
Irrigate frequently during Santa Ana winds, which pull moisture from both plants and soil
Give one last deep watering to deciduous trees and grapevines, but discontinue feeding to harden them off for cold weather
Irrigate fall-planted trees and bushes deeply once or twice this month to ensure good root formation prior to dormancy
December
Winter begins and plant growth is on hold until February
Watering Schedule: 9:00 am to 6:00 pm
If pipes freeze, warm them gradually with a hair dryer or space heater. Pipes that warm too fast can break.
Prune to shape evergreens like arborvitae, juniper, pines, and cypress - and save trimmings for holiday decorations
Prune dense trees to avoid wind damage; make sure young trees are well-staked
For overnight protection when frost threatens, cover delicate plants with large cardboard boxes, old sheets or tarps
Consider setting irrigation timers to "off", and manually water in response to our irregular winter weather, based on winds, rain, or snow. Using the manual mode on your controller in winter can save precious water
Some of this information has been provided by the - The Alliance for Water Awareness and Conservation. For more Information on how you can be part of the solution visit them on the web at http://www.hdawac.org/
For more water conservation tips and other energy conservation Ideas visit https://blog.constellation.com/energy-efficiency/