How to Save Water During California’s Drought

Due to the drought conditions in our state this winter, Governor Brown has asked that all California residents voluntarily try to cut their water consumption by 20 percent. Although this might seem like a large number, it’s actually very achievable if you take advantage of just a few of the simple water-saving tips that we listed below!

Make simple daily adjustments

• Cut your shower time from 10 minutes to 5 minutes (save up to 12.5 gallons per shower)
• Turn off the faucet while you’re brushing your teeth (save up to 4.5 gallons every time)
• Only run your dishwasher when it’s completely full (save 5-10 gallons per skipped cycle)
• Defrost food in the refrigerator instead of using running water (save up to 2.5 gallons per minute of avoided use)
• When doing laundry, match your washing machine’s water setting with the size of your load
• Soak your pots and pans in the sink instead of using running water

Install water-saving fixtures

• A faucet aerator is an inexpensive water-saving device that screws onto the tip of your faucet and reduces its flow-rate. A good aerator can reduce a faucet’s flow-rate from 2.5 gallons per minute (gpm) to 1 gpm.
• A low-flow showerhead can reduce your shower’s water consumption rate to as low as 1.5 gallons per minute, whereas most standard showerheads have a gpm rate of 2.5.
• A low-flush toilet will use about 20 percent less water than a standard toilet that has a gallons per flush rate of 1.6.
• Energy Star and WaterSense labeled products like dishwashers and washing machines will use much less water than standard products.

Fix your leaks!

According to the EPA, 10 percent of homes have leaks that waste 90 gallons of water or more per day. Even a small faucet leak that drips once per second can waste about 5 gallons of water every day! If you notice leaks around any of your water-using fixtures or appliances, be sure to call Cabrillo so we can fix them up and make your home more water-efficient.

If you have any questions about how to save water during a drought, or if you’d like a plumbing system serviced or installed in your home, contact Cabrillo, your Bay Area plumbing, heating and air conditioning contractor.