Southern California receives an average rainfall of about 15 inches annually. Two-thirds of our water supplies must be imported. With the average Southern California family using about 450 gallons of water daily, it pays to conserve - not only for the environment, but for your pocketbook as well.

Water Conservation & Supply Shortage Stage 2 Enacted

Ordinance 374, establishing a Water Conservation & Supply Shortage Program was adopted by the Board of Directors May 6. The Board adopted Stage 2 on July 1 with the following program guidelines.

Conservation Tips

IRRIGATION SCHEDULING GUIDELINES: Water your lawn only when it needs it. Step on your grass. If it springs back when you lift your foot, it doesn't need water. Accordingly, set your sprinklers for more days in between watering. This saves 750 to 1,500 gallons a month. In times of drought, water with a hose.

Take shorter showers. A one- or two-minute reduction can save up to 700 gallons a month. Also, consider installing low-flow showerheads that can save 500 to 800 gallons a month.

If you don't already have a high-efficiency toilet, put one in! Older toilets can use up to seven gallons per flush. The high-efficiency toilets, using only 1.28 gallons or less per flush, can save your household up to 20 percent on total indoor water consumption for a family of four.

Capture what you can! While waiting for hot water to reach your tap, catch the flow in a watering can to use later around the house or garden. This activity, which requires very little effort, saves 200 to 300 gallons a month.

Stop the flow! While brushing your teeth, doing dishes by hand, shaving or washing the car, don't let the water run freely from the hose. Hundreds of gallons a month can be saved.

Fix leaky faucets and plumbing joints. Savings of 20 gallons a day for every leak stopped will be achieved.

When washing dishes and clothes, run only full loads. Between 300 and 800 gallons a month in savings.

Get some exercise! Use a broom instead of a hose to clean driveways and sidewalks. This effort saves 150 gallons or more each time.

Adjust your sprinklers so that the grass is getting watered, not the sidewalks, driveway or gutter! Saves 500 gallons a month.

Save Water, Save $ WMWD Offers Rebates...

Click the logo for more info.

Commercial/Industrial Rebate Program

As a member agency of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, Western is pleased to present information on the Commercial/Industrial Rebate Program that can provide excellent financial incentives to businesses, industry and institutional customers. Details? Click the buck.

Creating Your Own Water-Wise Landscape
By following the basic principles of water-wise landscaping, you will arrive at beautiful landscape solutions that work in the Southern California climate. Click here for full information.

Huell Howser Showcases Western's Water Conservation Garden

"Water Efficient Gardens in Full Bloom," the 16th episode of the California's Water public television series produced by Huell Howser, was aired Oct. 15th on KCET. This episode features Western's Landscapes Southern California StyleSM. Details.

Know When to Drain Your Pool
As pool water evaporates, minerals and contaminants (such as dust, sunscreen, pool chemicals, etc.) become concentrated, eventually making it difficult to maintain the chemical balance in your pool.

 

Don’t drain the water without a chemical analysis from a pool professional or pool supply store. Although opinions vary, if your total dissolved solids (TDS) exceed 1,500 parts per million (ppm) or if your calcium hardness exceeds 350 ppm (or about 20 grains), it may be time to replace some of the pool water.

 

You may need to drain a fraction of your water to improve water quality or make repairs.

 

How to drain your swimming pool

• Don't drain pool water into the street, gutters or storm drains: this is a violation of local codes and you could be cited for water waste. Draining your pool into the sewer system allows water to be treated and reused.

• If you have a septic tank, do not drain your pool into the tank.

• Some pools have their own sewer connection so you can drain your pool directly into the sewer system. If your's doesn't, use these tips to drain your pool:

• Shut off the power to the pool's filtration system at the circuit breaker and turn off the automatic water fill valve.

• Find the sewer clean-out port to access the sanitary sewer line. The port is usually located in the ground and close to the home, often near a water spigot. The port should have a rubber or threaded cap with a square wrench fitting and be about three to four inches in diameter.

• Run a drainage hose from the sewer clean-out port to the pool, and connect it to a submersible pump. Lower the pump into the deepest area of the pool, near the drain. As you drain, monitor flow into the clean-out port to ensure water doesn't back up into your home's sink and shower drains. If back-up does occur, stop and contact a plumber.

• The maximum recommended discharge rate is 12 gallons per minute—a safe pumping rate may be less. (Note: any hoses or equipment inserted into the sewer line can become contaminated.)

• After draining your pool, refill it as soon as possible. Direct sunlight can damage your pool's exposed plaster. It may take a few days for the fresh water to reach the proper chemical levels, so check the levels daily for a week and add chemicals as needed.

• Check pool-chemical levels daily for a week. It may take several days for fresh water to reach the proper chemical levels.

• If your pool has a dedicated sewer connection, also known as an integrated system, refer to your owner's manual or contact your pool contractor for draining instructions.

• Contact a licensed pool service or plumber if you're unsure about draining your pool or need assistance.

Clean pool filters the water-smart way
When cleaning your pool filters, don't let water flow into the street—this is a water-waste violation. Rinse your pool filters over landscaped areas instead. The fresh water from your hose will dilute the chlorine so it won't harm plants or grass.