Assemblymember Don Wagner on Reducing Your Water Bill

“A typical user uses more water outside than inside.”—Don Wagner

“Every day the average American pours, flushes, and sprinkles 40 to 130 gallons of water at home. Using simple conservation measures, that amount could be reduced by 14 to 39 gallons, or 30 percent. For 7 million customers, that’s a savings of 98 to 273 million gallons. .”—Irvine Ranch Water District

“The biggest segment of home water use goes to irrigation. Sprinklers, lawn and landscape irrigation. Anything we can do to cut back on that … those are some of the best things we can do. …

In the house, toilets and showers, those are the biggest ones. More efficient toilets, shorter showers, all the usual stuff.”—Jay Famiglietti, UCI Earth System Science professor

Last week I wrote that the Irvine Ranch Water District (IRWD) rates are increasing. That being the case, you might be interested in reducing your water usage. If so, following are some tips from a campaign flyer that Irvine’s California assembly member, Don Wagner, sent out before the election. Wagner’s tips are quoted directly from his campaign flyer. The comments in italics are mine.

Outside:

  • Water your lawn and plants for 15 minutes, 4 times a week. If you water during the heat of the day, you lose a lot to evaporation and plants won’t get the moisture they need. More plants actually die from over-watering than under-watering. If you water after dusk and before 5:00 a.m., you cut down on wasted water.

IRWD suggests a much shorter watering period and points out that your watering needs will increase and decrease with the seasons and weather (IRWD Watering Chart). Also make sure that your sprinklers are aimed properly so you’re not watering the sidewalk or driveway. Savings: 500 gallons/month

  • Use a broom to sweep up the sidewalk and driveway, rather than a hose. Savings: 150 gallons each time

  • Replace your garden with water-efficient plants. Savings: cuts usage in half

IRWD suggests using drip systems for your garden and shrubs. In addition, replacing your lawn as well as your garden (or part of your lawn) with water-efficient plants will reduce your water use. At one time, lawns were large enough that it was possible to play catch or some other activity in the yard. However, today most lawns in Irvine are not that large; so you might as well have a low-maintenance, water- thrifty yard.

Indoors:

  • While brushing your teeth, shaving, washing the cat, doing dishes, etc. shut the water off until you need it. Savings: 200-300 gallons/month

  • Fix plumbing joints and leaky faucets. Savings: 600 gallons/month

  • Run only full loads when washing clothes and dishes. Savings: 300-800 gallons/month

  • Reduce shower times by one of two minutes. Savings: 700 gallons/month

  • Install low flow showerheads. Savings: 500-800 gallons/month

IRWD also provides some tips on saving water in your home and yard. Since water is IRWD’s business, the IRWD tips tend to go into much more detail. In addition, IRWD provides a rebate list.

Note: IRWD serves homes and businesses that are located in Irvine, portions of the cities of Lake Forest, Portola Hills, Foothill Ranch, Newport Coast, Tustin Ranch, Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, Orange and portions of unincorporated Orange County

Related post: ”IRWD Helps Customers Save Water and Money,”