How to Conserve Water in Los Angeles

California’s water problems make living here difficult at times, but not impossible. When necessary, every resident in California needs to ration water as much as possible to keep our water flowing for washing, drinking, fire fighting, etc. There are very concrete needs for water and, unfortunately, this may make our yards a little less appealing this time of year.  It isn’t necessarily nice to look at and it takes some work getting it back into shape when the Fall/Winter hit.

Aside from replacing lawns, there are easier, more immediate ways to reduce water consumption.  

1. Group plants with similar water needs together.  This avoids over-watering of plants that do not need as much to survive.
2. Use only plants native to your region.  They have been assimilating for centuries to the climate and water needs are minimal.
3. Use a layer of organic mulch to reduce weeds.  Weeds compete with plants for water.
4. Use an empty tuna can to measure irrigation output.  3/4 of an inch to 1 inch is enough to douse each time you water.
5. Reduce the amount of lawn by planting shrubs and ground cover.
6. More plants die from over-watering than they do from under-watering.  Know your plant biology.
7. Keeping the trash cans clear is appealing, but do not flush your tissues.  Tissues are for tossing. 
8. If your pet needs a bath, do it out on the lawn and let the lawn reap the benefits of the water you used for the bath.
9. If the kids want a water gun, water balloon, or general water merriment, let them do it on the lawn!  The grass appreciates the love.
10. Leave your lawn’s clippings on the grass.  This cools the lawn and holds water.
11. Get in the habit of sweeping debris rather than washing it away.  It takes longer, but on the plus side, it is a great for your arms.
12. Do not forget to adjust the water level in the washing machine each time you do a load.
13. Use ice cubes for hanging plants.  This reduce overflow and gives the plant a nice cooling.
14. Do not use running water to defrost foods. Defrost them in the refrigerator.
15. If you have an evaporation cooler, direct the water to your landscape.
16. When cleaning your fish tank, give the nutrient-rich water to your non-edible plants.
17. Insulate your water pipes to warm the water faster.  This reduces the amount of time you have to let it run to get some hot water.
18. If you can, install a dual flush toilet.  Liquids require less water to flush down than solids.
19. One drip every second adds up to 5 gallons a day!  Take care of that drip immediately.
20. Plug the sink when you shave rather than letting the water run.  It can save over 300 gallons of water per month!
21. Do not feel guilty – report errant sprinklers and water wasters.
22. Call your local water authority to report a leaking fire hydrant.  Trust us, they want to know.
23. Consider turning your fountain into a planter. It will be even prettier.
24. Always cook with the proper size pan or pot as using one too big uses far more water.
25.  Switch to Energy Star rated appliances. They can save thousands of gallons of water over their lifetime.
26. When you are heating up the shower, place a bucket underneath the stream to collect the water coming out as it gets warm to use for watering plants.
27. Buy a sink Aerator. A properly, and very easily, installed Aerator reduces the amount of water used by 50%!
28.  A low flow toilet can’t clean itself nor can it guarantee a clog-free policy, but it can save you a lot of water.  If you have not made the switch, do so now.
29.  Use a shower timer so you know when you should stop.
30.  Invest in a soaker hose. It helps reduce water runoff by 50%.  
31.  Rainwater barrels are as easy as it gets and can be used to water your lawn and for any other manner of water uses you need.  You attach it to a downspout which easily attaches to your house. Make sure you have a secure lid as a full barrel is a serious drowning danger for small children.  
32. A rainfall shut off device senses moisture in the soil and will prevent the sprinklers from running as long as a certain level of moisture is present.  
33. Hand washing clothes is a great way to save water.  Fill the sink with just a drop of detergent and use it for delicate items and socks.  
34. When that time of day comes to change your pet’s water from his bowl, do not throw it down the drain.  Toss it in the non-edibles in your yard.
35. Save your pasta or veggie water for use in the plants.  This water is harmless and means less water from the faucet.  
36. Add organic materials to your soil.  This helps increase absorption and supports water retention in the roots.  You can later top dress the soil with compost or organic matter for already existing plants.
37. A gray water divert-er is a wonderful unit.  It recycles water from laundry and showering by sending that water into a storage tank.  The water in that tank can be used to flush the toilet or water a NON-edible garden. 

There are so many ways in which we can all work together to make these seemingly intolerable conditions, tolerable. We are here to help with all the plumbing methods which can aid in savings of hundreds and hundreds of gallons of water in your home and on your property. All of these tips require additional work and effort from you, but it is well worth having a water supply for the necessaries for your home, your neighbors, and all Californians.