Earlier this year, Governor Gavin Newsom directed the State Water Boards to find ways to address the drought, resulting in new emergency water use restrictions. More on the state-wide effort here.
In addition to following the rules to cut back on watering yards, here are steps we can all take to conserve water.
Home Water-Saving Tips
Take shorter showers.
Install an aerator on bathroom faucets, to save 1.2 gallons per person per day. (Find out about how Los Angeles County residents can get free shower heads and more water-saving equipment.)
Install an aerator on bathroom faucets, to save 1.2 gallons per person per day.
Install a water-efficient shower head, to save 1.2 gallons per minute. (Find out about how Los Angeles County residents can get free shower heads and more water-saving equipment.)
Install a high-efficiency toilet, to save 19 gallons per person per day.
Flush the toilet only when necessary.
Turn off water while brushing your teeth or shaving.
Fix leaks.
Collect water in the shower as it is heating up and use this — called grey water — to irrigate plants.
Fill bathtubs halfway or less, to save 12 gallons of water per person.
Check toilets for leaks, to save 30-50 gallons of water per day per toilet.
Check toilets for leaks, to save 30-50 gallons of water per day per toilet.
Turn off the water when brushing teeth or shaving, to save 10 gallons per person per day.
Turn the sink faucet on only to rinse when you’re washing dishes, to save about 2.5 gallons of water for every minute your faucet does not run.
Use a broom to clean outdoor areas, to save 8-18 gallons of water per minute.
Wash full loads of clothes in washing machines, instead of half-loads, to save 15-45 gallons of water per load.
Wash clothes less and spot-clean.
Run the dishwasher when full instead of hall full to save 5-15 gallons of water per load.
Install a water-efficient shower head, to save 1.2 gallons per minute.
Install a high-efficiency toilet saves 19 gallons per person per day.
Replace your lawn with a drought-tolerant garden with rocks and native plants (and get a rebate!).
Source: Los Angeles County Waterworks Districts
Outdoor Water-Saving Tips
Plant drought-tolerant, water-wise trees and plants to save 30-60 gallons per 1,000 square feet each time you water.
Use grey water (excess water from faucets, showers, bathtubs, washing machines) to irrigate plants.
Replace your lawn with a drought-tolerant garden with rocks and native plants (and see if you qualify for a Cash for Grass rebate!).
Cover swimming pools when not in use to reduce the amount of water needed by 30-50 percent and you won’t be filling up the pool as often.
Water plants early in the AM or at night, to save 25 gallons each time you water.
Set mower blade to 3” to encourage deeper roots, to save 16-50 gallons per day.
Turn off your sprinklers and any outdoor irrigation systems when rain is expected.
Keep your irrigation turned off for at least two days after it rains; you don’t need to begin watering again until the top two inches of soil are dry.
Consider collecting rainwater for future outdoor watering.
More Tips
Guide to Water-Saving Restrictions (Los Angeles Times)
Saving water when there’s rain in the forecast (Save Our Water)
