It’s never our intension to waste water, but water waste can show up in the simplest places.
Even though the Desert has a very good supply of water close by, we still need to conserve. According to a recent Desert Sun article, "We're not going to make normal rainfall this winter," said Richard Minnich, a professor in the Earth Sciences Department at UC Riverside. "We are in what's called a La Nada — the neutral phase of the El Niño cycle. Neutral behaves like La Niña. The last El Niño, the last wet year was 2010-11, and we've been dry ever since."
- The Governor has urged the state to conserve water.
- The Coachella Valle Water District has a lot of information on how to conserve water.
- The Desert Sun has launched a new column that takes a closer look at how we use — and abuse — water in the Coachella Valley.
Other Ideas how to save water in the Desert:
From Waterusitwisely.com:
- When washing dishes by hand, don’t let the water run. Fill one basin with wash water and the other with rinse water.
- Dishwashers typically use less water than washing dishes by hand. Now, Energy Star dishwashers save even more water and energy.
- If your dishwasher is new, cut back on rinsing. Newer models clean more thoroughly than older ones.
- Time your shower to keep it under 5 minutes. You’ll save up to 1,000 gallons per month.
- Toilet leaks can be silent! Be sure to test your toilet for leaks at least once a year.
- Put food coloring in your toilet tank. If it seeps into the bowl without flushing, there’s a leak. Fix it and start saving gallons.
- When running a bath, plug the bathtub before turning on the water. Adjust the temperature as the tub fills.
- Upgrade older toilets with water-saving WaterSense® labeled models.
The National Geographic website has some great tips and ideas for conserving water –
- Did you know a professional car wash uses 35 gallons per wash – washing it yourself can use up to 140 gallons! Plus it washes oil and gunk into the city drains.
