As the devastating fires have and continue to impact several communities in Southern California, they remind us of the significance of a diverse and ample water supply. Your SoCal Tap Water member agencies continue to work diligently to preserve a diversified water portfolio through systems like groundwater replenishment, reservoirs and more.  

It’s no secret that water is a pillar of our health, communities and livelihoods. We use water to do more than hydrate – we use it to aid in emergency situations, like fire containment and more. Water is a limited natural resource. Saving the local water supply can’t be accomplished by Mother Nature and Your SoCal Tap Water member agencies alone. It’s important to remember that everyone in our communities has a vital role in saving water. 

Importance of our role in water savings 

Mother Nature’s gift of rain and snow is unpredictable, and past droughts have shown we can’t rely solely on the weather to meet our water needs. Therefore, to help with local water supply management the Orange County Water District (OCWD) and Orange County Sanitation District (OC San), teamed up to develop the Groundwater Replenishment System (GWRS) – the world’s largest water purification system. Essentially, the GWRS takes highly treated wastewater and purifies it through an advanced three step treatment process to produce high quality water. Read our earlier blog to learn more about the GWRS treatment process.  

Western Water operates the Victoria Recharge Basin to secure the local water supply for the region. The Victoria Recharge Basin catches bits of stormwater runoff, so it can soak into the groundwater aquifer below the surface. When rainfall and stormwater collect on the ground, the recharge process naturally occurs. From soil to surface, the water packs the air spaces that appear within bits of soil and then “recharges” the aquifer that is underground. More information about the basin can be found on Western Water’s website.   

A collaborative partnership between San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District (SBVMWD) and other water agencies, created Watershed Connect, a program aimed to secure water reliability for several situations, including droughts, wildfires and climate uncertainty. The program is designed to support the development of water capture, recharge, storage, treatment and conveyance projects to maximize local water resources today and for the future. Learn more about Watershed Connect by visiting their website.  

Every household has a role to play in preserving our regional water supply as well. This is especially true in Southern California. The good news is, though, that saving water doesn’t have to be a burden. There are simple things we can all do together that can make a difference. While we can’t control the weather, we can control how we use water. 

Rebates and water saving tips 

Start your indoor and outdoor water saving journey with rebates. A variety of local water agencies offer a collection of rebates, including indoor, outdoor and turf replacement rebates. Your local water agencies, including Your SoCal Tap Water member agencies, are here to lend you a hand to save water and maximize the local water supply. For more information on rebates, visit your local water supplier’s website or visit bewaterwise.com/rebates.  

Let’s begin with the basics of saving water indoors. Water is used for many indoor activities, but this year and beyond, Your SoCal Tap Water member agencies encourage you to practice these ways to save water at home.  

• Leaks, the silent water waster: Small drips of water can turn into lost gallons of water very quickly. Stop leaks in their tracks by regularly checking for leaks and repairing any issues as quickly as possible. Here is a quick read on leak management provided by Western Water. 

• In the bathroom: Keep those showers short and sweet, and install a low-flow showerhead. Also, let’s make sure the water isn’t running as you brush those pearly whites. Oh, and check your toilet flapper located in the upper tank because if it’s worn out, it can waste approximately 200 gallons of water every day.  Eastern Municipal Water District has more information about checking for indoor leaks.
  
  [Pictured is a toilet flapper that is located in the upper tank.] 
   

• In the kitchen: Always run the dishwasher when it’s a full load, and scrape as much food off of your plate instead of cleaning the plate with running water.  

• In the laundry room: As with dishwashers, wash your clothes only when you reach a full load and upgrade to a high efficiency clothing washer that uses less water and energy…a two for one! Read more about rebates to install water saving laundry appliances.  

Saving water outdoors is just as important as saving it indoors, and winter is the ideal season to start planning for your water efficient landscaping changes. As outdoor water use often exceeds indoor usage for most households, adopting efficient outdoor practices can significantly lower your daily water consumption – and your water bill. Here are some practical tips to help you conserve your outdoor water use.  

• Planting a seed in water conservation: Beautify your landscape with a collection of vibrant and drought tolerant plants like the purple Russian sage and yellow lantanas. Check out more plants through Western Water’s landscape guide. You can also check your local water agency for drought tolerant planting rebates.  

• New gadgets, less waste: Install one or more of the following gadgets to minimize water waste and allow your drought tolerant landscape to thrive: drip irrigation system, smart irrigation controller, soil moisture sensor, rain sensors, flow meters, smart sprinklers, water pressure regulators, and download the smart irrigation app to monitor your water use on the go!  

[Pictured is a smart irrigation controller for your landscape to monitor water usage.]  

[Pictured is a soil moisture sensor to measure the amount of water present in the soil.]  

Save water today, tomorrow and for future generations 

Don’t be discouraged to start your water savings journey because every drop counts. Decreasing water waste means an increase in the region’s water supply, which can support all of our communities. Adapting to the water saving tips noted above and many more, saves water for you, the region as a whole and the future. Start today for a better tomorrow.  

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