The Truth

ABOUT OUR WATER SUPPLY

We all know that Earth is mostly water, 75% to be exact. But just how much of that can we use for drinking water and irrigation? Well, 97% of Earth’s water is salt water from our oceans, which leaves us with about 3% of fresh water. Of that 3%, about 2% is in the form of ice and 0.5% is in the ground. This leaves us with only about 0.5% of fresh, drinkable water. Not much right? With our ever increasing population, soon we’ll have nothing left. Water is very precious so do your part to conserve today!

CALIFORNIA IN A STATE OF EMERGENCY

On Friday, February 27, 2009, California’s Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger proclaimed a state of emergency due to drought conditions and ordered immediate action to deal with the crisis. He stated, “Even with the recent rainfall, California faces its third consecutive year of drought and we must prepare for the worst - a fourth, fifth or even sixth year of drought. Last year we experienced the driest spring and summer on record and storage in the State’s reservoir system is near historic lows. This is a crisis, just as severe as an earthquake or raging wildfire, and we must treat it with the same urgency by upgrading California’s water infrastructure to ensure a clean and reliable water supply for our growing State.” The Governor has requested that all urban water users reduce their individual water use by 20% and agricultural water users to continue to implement efficient water management practices.

Official press release here.

DELTA IN PERIL

The Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta is probably the single most important source of fresh water for the State of California. It’s a natural estuary of more than 738,000 acres and home to approximately 22 species of fish, including the Delta smelt, which is on the verge of extinction. Because most of the delta is below sea level, it relies on a complex system of levees to keep the salty San Francisco Bay sea water out. Today, the century old delta faces several problems in its ability to meet the State’s human, agricultural and environmental needs. One of the biggest issues is earthquakes. Experts warn that an earthquake with magnitude of 6.5 or greater could cause substantial damage to the levees which can result in the flooding of nearby communities and farmland. More importantly, it will allow the salty San Francisco Bay sea water from contaminating our fresh water supply and will in turn disrupt the State’s water supply systems.

Complete info here.

WATER CONSERVATION TIPS

- Use your water meter to check for leaks around your home by reading your water meter before and after a 2-hour long period of no water use.
- Check your toilet for leaks by putting a little food coloring in your tank. If you see the coloring in your bowl without flushing, there is a leak.
- Don’t use your toilet as a wastebasket.
- Install water saving low flow showerheads and aerators throughout your home. These are very cheap and easy to install.
- Take shorter showers. A four minute shower uses approximately 20-40 gallons of water. You do the math.
- Minimize the use of your kitchen sink garbage disposal unit. These units require a lot of water to operate properly.
- When washing dishes by hand, don’t leave the water running while rinsing. Instead, fill one basin with soapy water and the other with rinse water. If you don’t have a double-basin sink, gather washed dishes in a dish rack and rinse them with a spray device or pan of hot water.
- Don’t let your faucet run while rinsing vegetables. Rinse them using a stoppered sink or a clean pan of water.
- Water your lawn only when you need it. To check, simply step on your lawn with your foot. If it springs back up, you’re good.
- Deeply soak your lawn when watering long enough for the moisture to soak down to the roots.
- Water during the early parts of the day and avoid watering on windy days. This will help with water evaporation.
- Try adding organic matter and use efficient watering systems (i.e. drip irrigation systems) for shrubs, flower beds and lawns. This will help with water absorption and water retention.
- Try planting drought-resistant lawns, shrubs and plants.
- Put a layer of mulch around trees and plants to help slow evaporation and discourage weed growth.
- Do not run your hose while washing your car. Use water only for rinsing and be sure to use a spray nozzle.
- Do not use water to clean your driveways and sidewalks. Get in the habit of using a broom.