Dive in to Water Conservation

As California residents, it feels as if we’re constantly in a state of drought. For some, that means your day to day has changed to limit your water usage. For others, it seems like an unending problem that is so “normal” it doesn’t feel like a real concern.

Living in an extreme drought, we live as if every month is Water Conservation Month, but instead of giving yet another reminder to shorten showers to under three minutes (who can do that?) to turning off the faucet while you brush your teeth (that’s so ‘90s), we have a few easy changes that you’ll barely notice affecting your day, while still making a huge difference.

• Be diligent about leaks! Contact your Resident Manager if you think you have a leak. They’ll send someone over to check it out and make sure you’re not wasting any water without realizing it.

• Have a dishwasher? Use it! You may think you’re doing the earth a favor by washing your dishes by hand, but most dishwashers are efficient enough that they use less water (when running a full load) than if you were to wash dishes individually in the sink.

• We know you already shut off the faucet while brushing your teeth. But when we’re all trying to be extra diligent in hand-washing, we should turn the water off then, too! Get your hands damp enough to scrub all your hand, finger and nail crevices, turn off the water, and scrub away! Get every nook and cranny without letting all that water go to waste.

• Your plants are thirsty too! Instead of dumping that half-empty glass of water from last night down the drain, use it to water your plants.

• If you can’t cut minutes off your shower, trade your burger for a veggie burger – it takes up to 99% less water (!!) to get the plant version on your plate.

• Keep a bucket in your shower so as you wait for the water to heat up, that precious liquid doesn’t get wasted down the drain. Save it to water plants or fill your pup’s bowl.

If you can do even just a few of these, you’ll save more than just a drop in the bucket.