A Personal Story of Water Usage

While I know water conservation is critical for our San Diego region and have long advocated for San Diegans to reduce their water use, I was unaware of just how much water was being consumed at my home. Prompted by a request from the media about my home water usage, I hired an independent water auditor to come to my house to make recommendations on how my family and I might reduce our water consumption. From that audit, the following recommendations were made and implemented:

1. Replace three shower-heads with more water-efficient ones;
2. Replace some of our water pipes;
3. Repair a water leak in the house;
4. Reduce the amount of watering of the drought resistant plants which make up the majority of my yard; and
5. Install weather sensor devices on my property which gauge just when my lawn needs watering.

I am interested to see just how much water I will be saving based on implementing these fairly easy steps.

The City of San Diego is a partner in the 20 Gallon Challenge, a regional effort to get all residents of San Diego County to reduce their water use by 20 gallons per day. It's easier than it sounds. Below are a number of simple steps you can take around your own home and property to reduce your water consumption. For more tips and other information about the 20 Gallon Challenge, visit their website.

Did you know?

• You can schedule a Water Survey of your single-family home by calling the City of San Diego Water Conservation Hotline at (619) 570-1999 or E-mail them at water@sandiego.gov and provide your name and day time phone number. Recommendations will be made on how you can become more water efficient at home.

Here are 24 simple ways to help you save water. Whatever your conservation goal is - 15 percent, 25 percent, or more - the more of these steps you take the more water you'll save. The more water you save, the more money you'll save on your water and sewer bill.

• In The Bathroom
• In The Kitchen
• Around The House
• Outdoors

In The Bathroom

1. While waiting for hot water to come through the pipes, catch the cool, clean, water in a bucket or a watering can. You can use it later to water plants, run your garbage disposer, or pour into the toilet bowl to flush. (Can save up to 50 gallons a week per person.)
2. Replace your regular showerheads with low-flow showerheads. (Can save up to 230 gallons a week.)
3. Keep your showers down to five minutes or less using a low-flow showerhead. (Can save up to 75 gallons a week per person.)
4. Turn the water off while lathering-up in the shower. Then turn the water back on to quickly rinse. (Can save up to 75 gallons a week per person.)
5. Take shallow baths, no more than 3 inches of water. (Can save up to 100 gallons a week per person.)
6. Replace your older model toilets with new ultra-low-flush models. (Can save up to 350 gallons a week.)
7. Check your toilets for leaks. Drop a dye tablet or a teaspoon of food coloring (avoid red) in the tank. If color appears in the bowl after 15 minutes, you probably need to replace the "flapper" valve. (Can save up to 100 gallons a week for each toilet repaired.)
8. Flush the toilet only when necessary. Never use the toilet as an ashtray or wastebasket. (Can save up to 50 gallons a week.)
9. Never let the water run while brushing your teeth or shaving. (Can save up to 35 gallons a week per person.)

In The Kitchen

10. Hand wash dishes just once a day using the least amount of detergent possible. This will cut down on rinsing. Use a sprayer or short blasts of water to rinse. (Can save up to 100 gallons a week.)
11. If you have a dishwasher, run it only when you have a full load. (Can save up to 30 gallons a week.)
12. Scrape food scraps off dishes in the garbage can or rinse them off with very short blasts of water. (Can save up to 60 gallons a week.)
13. Never use hot, running water to defrost frozen foods. Plan ahead and place frozen items in the refrigerator overnight or use the microwave oven. (Can save up to 50 gallons a week.)
14. Rinse vegetables and fruits in a sink or a pan filled with water instead of under running water. (Can save up to 30 gallons a week.)
15. Run your garbage disposer only on alternate days. (Can save up to 25 gallons a week.)

Around The House

16. Repair all leaky faucets, fixtures and pipes both inside and outside your home. (Can save more than 150 gallons for each leak.)
17. When doing the laundry, never wash less than a full load. (Can save up to 100 gallons a week.)

Outdoors

18. Set lawn mower blades one notch higher since longer grass reduces evaporation. Leave grass clippings on your grass, this cools the ground and holds in moisture.
19. Use mulch to cover bare ground in gardens and around trees. (Can save up to 100 gallons or more a week.)
20. Never hose down your patio or balcony, always use a broom or blower. (Can save up to 100 gallons a week.)
21. Don't allow children to play with the hose. (Can save up to 10 gallons a minute.)
22. If you have a pool, use a cover to cut down evaporation. This will also keep your pool cleaner and reduce the need to add chemicals. (Can save up to 250 gallons a week.)
23. Take your car to a car wash that recycles its wash water. If washing your car at home, use a bucket of water and sponge. Rinse quickly at the end. Never allow the hose to run continuously. (Can save up to 150 gallons a week.)
24. Water your lawn and landscaping early in the morning or after the sun sets when there's less evaporation. Adjust your sprinklers so they don't spray on sidewalks, driveway or street. (Can save up to 250 gallons a week.)

If you are interested in learning more about conserving water, be sure to check out the helpful information listed on our City's web site.

• Water Conservation Program
• Residential Water Survey Program