Drought & Water Conservation Fact Sheet

• Rowland Water District echoes Governor Brown’s request for voluntary 20% reduction in water usage by our customers.

• Rowland Water District has been preparing for this drought emergency for many years, which has resulted in a stable supply of water to meet current and future demand.

• Despite the severe drought conditions, Rowland Water can assure all customers that we have appropriate supplies to meet the daily and future needs of our customers.

• Reductions should start with water used outside the home as outdoor water use makes up

60% of a typical household’s water use. • Water reserves in Southern California have been well managed, and customer conservation

has lessened the impact of drought in the Southland. • Water conservation measures taken by Rowland, and our customers, have ensured that no

mandatory water reductions are being considered at this time. • Use of recycled and reclaimed water has increased, meaning more potable water has been

put in reserve for just this kind of drought emergency. • Northern California Water supplies have been more gravely impacted by the current

drought. • Recent storms have lessened the severity of the drought, but more rain and snowfall is

needed to alleviate drought conditions in the state. • Meeting the 20% voluntary reduction will help ensure Southern California’s water reserves

will last through the drought crisis.

• Rowland Water District continues to invest in important conservation measures, and continues to develop new sources for a reliable potable water supply. Find out more about our water supply portfolio and how you can help the regional conservation effort by visiting www.rowlandwater.com.

March 2014

Conservation Tips Kitchen

• Examine your kitchen faucets and fix all leaks and drips. (15-20 gallons per leak per day)

• Install aerators on faucets. (4.7 gallons per day)

• Check your freezer’s icemaker for leaks. Icy buildup around the icemaker is a sign of a leak. (1-5 gallons per day)

Bathroom

• Examine showerheads and faucets. Fix any leaks or drips. (15-20 gallons per leak per day)

• Install aerators on faucets and low-flow, WaterSense showerheads. (4.7 gallons per day)

• Check your toilets for leaks. (30-500 gallons per leak per day)

• Replace older, inefficient toilet with WaterSense model. (2.2-3.8 gallons per flush)

Laundry Room

• Replace older, inefficient washing machine with WaterSense model. (20-30 gallons per load)

Outside

• Head outside and make sure that your sprinkler timers are adjusted properly for the time of year and weather conditions. (40 gallons per day)

• Upgrade to a smart irrigation controller. (40 gallons per day)

• Replace old sprinkler heads with water efficient models. Set them to water early in the morning or later in the evening, when heat and evaporation are at their lowest. (30 gallons per day)

• Inspect each sprinkler and replace all broken sprinkler heads. (10 gallons per minute per leak)

• Turn the sprinklers on to see if they are only watering your lawn. Adjust to avoid overspray on sidewalk, driveway, rockscape. (15-25 gallons per day)

• Install a water efficient drip irrigation system where possible. Create a dug out area for water to settle and ground cover to avoid evaporation. (20-25 gallons per day)

• Think about swapping out water intensive plants for drought tolerant ones. Native species can be both beautiful and water efficient. (Major savings possible!)

Here are 10 things you can do every day to combat water waste inside and outside your home

Inside

1. Run only full loads in the washing machine and dishwasher.

2. Thaw frozen items in the refrigerator instead of using running water.

3. When doing dishes by hand fill the sink, rather than keeping water running.

4. Shorten your showers by two minutes.

5. Turn your faucet off while you brush your teeth.

Outside

1. Clean your driveway and patio with a broom instead of a hose.

2. If it rains, adjust your sprinklers.

3. When you mow keep your grass a little longer, it helps keep the soil moist.

4. Weed your lawn and garden often.

5. Use your pool cover to prevent evaporation.