Media Corner

For Immediate Release
December 02, 2004

Tap Into the Fall Season - Make Conservation a Way of Life

CARSON, CA. - Water conservation measures make good sense every day of the year. The fall and winter months with its colder weather may be upon us, but that does not mean that residents of the Central Basin Municipal Water District should ignore water conservation.

Saving precious water can and should become a way of life for every Californian. Once the cool December days commence, we will still need to actively conserve water. According to the Central Basin Municipal Water District, the average family of four uses 326,000 gallons of water per year. We can reduce our usage using inexpensive tools and utilizing simple tips that every member of the family can use.

Making conservation a habit not only saves water but will also save you money. Having weathered two major droughts over the past 13 years, Californians have made great strides to conserve water during the summer months. We can no longer rely on conserving water merely during the summer. We must make conservation a habit throughout the year and throughout every season.

The Central Basin Municipal Water District recommends the following steps to conserve water:

1) Install a Hot Water Recirculating System: Install a Hot Water System device at the furthest sink from your shower. The device will pump hot water immediately to your shower and sinks reducing the amount of water that is left running waiting for hot water to warm up. When the water temperature drops below 98 degrees, the system automatically turns on. Result: water savings, savings on your water bill and gas bill.

2) Fix leaky faucets: Fix all leaky toilets, faucets, and pipes. "Don't throw your water down the drain. Fix those leaky toilets," said Gary Morse, Director of the Central Basin Municipal Water District. "A silent leak in a toilet can waste 40 gallons or more a day and a toilet that "runs" after each flush can waste up to 5 gallons per minute."

3) Install low-flow showerheads: Install a low-flow showerhead. If the shower has a single hand control or shut off valve, turn off the flow while soaping or shampooing.

4) Install ultra-low-flow toilets: Install ultra-low-flow toilets. A standard toilet uses 3.5 to 7 gallons or more per flush. An average household flushes 15 to 20 times per day accounting for up to 140 gallons of water. In contrast, an ultra-low-flow toilet uses 1.6 gallons or less per flush. Use an ultra-low-flow toilet and save 108 gallons of water a day which is equal to over 3,200 gallons per month and over 38,000 gallons per year.

5) Turn the faucet off: Turn the faucet off while brushing your teeth. Use a glass of water for rinsing your mouth.

6) Water the lawn only when needed: Before watering the lawn, try this test. Step on the lawn. If the grass springs back, it doesn't need to be watered. A standard 20 by 40 foot panel of lawn needs 2,000 to 4,200 gallons of water per month. Every day you don't irrigate saves 350 gallons of water.

7) Sweep the sidewalk and driveway: Use a broom, not a hose, to clean driveways, steps, patios, and sidewalks. Sweeping the driveway can save 150 gallons each time you sweep instead of hosing.

8) Car Wash: When washing the car, use an automatic shut off nozzle. An automatic shut off nozzle uses 15 or more gallons while washing a car with running water for 20 minutes uses 100 to 200 gallons.

If you would like additional information and tips on water conservation, call (310) 660-6209 or visit Central Basin Municipal Water District's website at http://www.centralbasin.com.