Due to the increasing demands of our water resources, the Public Utility Department is providing the following information in an effort to educate and stress the importance of becoming more water efficient. A significant level of water conservation can be achieved without major changes in lifestyle. Simply watering landscapes properly and utilizing efficient plumbing fixtures and appliances in the home can reduce the per-capita water use by 25 percent.
Conservation practices:
[63k] City Implementation Strategy
Conservation Ordinance
Voluntary
Mandatory
Emergency
How can I conserve water?
There are many things that you can do to save water in your home.
Here are just a few:
Check toilets for leaks… Click 
here for more information.
Check faucets for drips and install faucet aerators.
Turn off the water while brushing teeth, washing your face and shaving.
Replace your old washing machine with a horizontal-axis machine that uses less water and energy.
Wrap your hot water heater and pipes with insulating material.
Run the dishwasher (and washing machine) only when they are full.
Avoid running the tap for a cold drink. Keep a pitcher of water in the refrigerator
Don't let the water run while washing vegetables or dishes.
Check showerhead for leaks… Click 
here for more information.
Take showers rather than baths.
Limit showers to once a day for five minutes and do not fill bathtubs more than 1/3 full for baths.
Take a shorter shower. Turn off the water while soaping up.
Your toilet can flush up to 40% of the total water used in your home down the drain.
Since 1994, only 1.6 gallon toilets are manufactured in the United States. This means that most new homes already have a low flow toilet. If your home is more than 5 years old, the chances are your toilet is using more water than necessary and could operate on a lot less. There are a couple of ways that you can modify your existing toilet to be more water efficient.
To lower the amount of water used for each flush, you need to displace water in the toilet tank.
- Place toilet dams in the tank. Toilet dams are placed towards the sides and around the flushing mechanisms of the tank. They hold back water and prevent it from leaving the tank. Dams can be purchased at your local hardware store.
- Use pop bottles or a plastic jug to displace the water in your tank so that there is less water flowing into the bowl. Fill the bottle with water or place rocks in the bottom of the container for weight. Choose a container that will best fit in the space in your toilet tank without interfering with the flushing mechanism.
To check for a leak, place a few drops of food coloring in the toilet tank. Wait 15 minutes to see if the food coloring shows up in the bowl without flushing. If color does appear, it is indicating that the plunger ball (in your tank) is not "seating" or sealing the outlet to the bowl. Try adjusting the alignment. If this doesn't work the plunger ball or the valve seat may need to be replaced. Be sure that the water level in the tank is at least 1/2" below the top of the overflow tube. To adjust, gently bend or turn the adjustment screw on the float arm to lower the water level. If the water continues to leak, either in your toilet or elsewhere in your home, consult a licensed plumber.
Try not to use your toilet as a trash can. Throw things away instead of flushing them down the drain.
Install a low-flow showerhead.
Conventional showerheads can provide more water than needed by delivering 5 to 8 gallons of water per minute (gpm). However, for less than $20, you can reduce your water use to 21/2 gpm or less by installing a low-flow showerhead. This is a 25-75% savings without sacrificing the quality of your shower!
To check the flow rate of your existing showerhead, turn the shower on all the way and see how long it takes to fill a one-gallon plastic milk jug (you may have to cut a piece of the neck off the jug so it will fit over the showerhead.), or a one-gallon bucket.
If your showerhead fills a one-gallon container in less than 15 seconds, it is using more than 4 gallons per minute of water. Make plans to replace high water use showerheads with more efficient high-performance models. There are many excellent showerheads on the market. Your local hardware or plumbing-supply store is a good source. When buying a showerhead, be sure that it delivers no more than 2 1/2 gallons per minute; 1 1/2 to 2 gpm is even better. The "feel" of the shower --misty, pounding, etc.-- varies widely with the brand and model. Some models have a fingertip valve so that you can adjust the flow without changing the temperature.
Low-flow showerheads also help reduce home energy use through reduced gas and electrically heated water. Individual preferences, such as duration and frequency of showers will also determine the amount of water and energy you save.
There are many things that you can do to save water outside your home:
Use a broom instead of a hose to clean driveways, walks and patios
Use a sponge and a bucket of water to wash the car.
Keep pools covered when not in use to reduce evaporation
Turn off ornamental fountains or other such structures
Familiarize yourself with self-imposed water saving devices.
Landscaping tips
- Water the lawn in the early morning or evening to avoid evaporation.
- Mow your lawn to two inches or more and leave the clippings. It will shade roots, provide nutrients and help retain moisture.
- Use mulch around plants and other shrubbery to reduce evaporation.
- Water slowly, deeply, thoroughly and infrequently to encourage root growth.
- Water only when your landscape needs it.
- Water trees and shrubs separately. Some only need to be watered once a month.
- Aerate regularly, and use mulch to reduce evaporation.
- Plant native or drought-tolerant grass and plants (Xeriscape).
Sprinkler system tips
Check your sprinkler system in the spring to make sure it is working properly and that you are not watering walks, driveways or the street.
Check your sprinkler system regularly for leaks.
Check your irrigation schedule regularly. The amount of water your lawn needs in July is more than what it will need in late September.
