Earth Day, April 22, 2021, will be upon us soon, so the San Lorenzo Valley Water District (SLVWD) wants to remind the public that taking measures at home to conserve water not only saves money, but benefits the greater community.
Boulder Creek, CA, April 08, 2021 — Earth Day, April 22, 2021, will be upon us soon, so the San Lorenzo Valley Water District (SLVWD) wants to remind the public that taking measures at home to conserve water not only saves money, but benefits the greater community. Since October 2020 the San Lorenzo Valley has only received approximately 18 inches of rainfall compared to the typical water year (October through September) average of 46 inches.
While most of California is partially or wholly dependent upon snowfall in the Sierras for their water supply, the SLVWD relies on local rainfall only. This means we must make do with whatever rainfall has seeped deep into the ground and stored in our underground aquifers, as well as what is flowing and stored in our local rivers, creeks or reservoir. Due to our heavy reliance on groundwater (and our wells that we pump from) it can take years of average rainfall to make up for past drought conditions.
In addition, weather patterns are changing. We can expect longer and drier droughts, coupled with more frequent and severe flooding. Warming temperatures are changing rain and snowfall patterns and rising sea levels are expected to have profound effects on our ability to manage water supplies now and in the future. That’s why water use efficiency strategies will continue to be more and more important for the San Lorenzo Valley.
By using water-saving features you can reduce your in-home water use by up to 35%. This means the average San Lorenzo Valley household, which uses 72,000 gallons annually, could save up to 25,00 gallons of water per year. In addition to saving money on your utility bill, conserving water also reduces greenhouse gas emissions associated with treating and distributing water, along with the associated cost to operate these services.
The most effective way to save water is to upgrade to efficient fixtures. Installing low-flow aerators, showerheads, tank banks and other water-saving devices can be can be done by homeowners with minimal tools. Here are five ways you can save water at home:
1. Install Low or Dual-Flush Model Toilets
Federal regulations state that new toilets must use no more than 1.6 gallons per flush. Replacing an old toilet with an ultra-low volume (ULV) 1.6-gallon or lower flush model represents a 70% savings in water and can cut indoor water use by about 30%. Alternatively, consider purchasing a dual-flush toilet or installing a dual flush converter that turns a standard toilet into a dual-flush toilet, can save an average family 15,000 gallons of water each year.
The District is offering two residential toilet rebate options ranging from $75 up to $200 depending on the gallon per flush of the original toilet you replace. Rebate eligibility requirements and applications are listed on the District’s Rebate Program page at https://www.slvwd.com/conservation/pages/rebate-program.
2. Consider a High-Efficiency Washing Machine
The most efficient washing machines use as little as seven gallons per load, compared to a whopping 54 for a traditional washer. A high efficiency (HE) washer can easily pay for itself over its lifetime in water and energy savings. New Energy Star-rated washers use 35-50% less water and 50% less energy per load.
3. Install Water-Saving Showerheads, and Shower Timers
Inexpensive water-saving low-flow showerheads or restrictors are easy for the homeowner to install. Long showers can use five to 10 gallons every minute. “Low-flow” means it uses less than 2.5 gallons per minute. You can easily install a low-flow showerhead, or add a ShowerStart converter to existing showerheads, which automatically pauses a running shower once it gets warm. Or take shorter showers!
The District offers free low-flow shower heads to District customers. Contact customer service at customerservice@SLVWD.com for more information.
4. Fit Household Faucets with Aerators
This easy and effective home water conservation method is also the cheapest! Aerators are used to reduce the volume of water that comes out of your kitchen or bathroom faucet.
The District offers free aerators for both bathrooms and kitchens to District customers. Contact customer service at customerservice@SLVWD.com for more information.
5. Check Your Toilets for Leaks
Put a food coloring in your toilet tank without flushing, if the color begins to appear in the bowl within 30 minutes, you may have a leak that should be repaired. Most replacement parts are inexpensive and easy to install. To check for leaks, go to https://www.slvwd.com/conservation/pages/how-test-leaks.
For more water-saving tips, go to: watersavingtips.org.
The District is proud of the water conservation efforts our community has taken and wants to extend a thank-you to all of its residents for being passionate about the environment and saving water!
About the District
The San Lorenzo Valley Water District was established in 1941 as an independent special district. The District is governed by a five-member Board of Directors, elected at-large from within the District’s service area.
A special district is a local government agency formed by voters to perform a needed service, such as water or sewer. The District’s boundaries comprise approximately 60 square miles and 190 miles of pipeline.
The District currently provides service to approximately 7,900 residential, commercial, and institutional connections. The District relies on both surface water and groundwater resources, including nine currently active stream diversions, one groundwater spring, and eight active groundwater wells. The District owns, operates, and maintains two water systems from separate water sources. These sources are derived solely from rainfall within the San Lorenzo River watershed.
The District owns, operates, and maintains a wastewater system in Boulder Creek’s Bear Creek Estates, which serves approximately 56 homes.
Website: slvwd.com
Phone: (831) 338-2153
Fax: (831) 338-7986
Emergency Numbers:
After-hour emergencies: (831) 338-2153
Address:
San Lorenzo Valley Water District
13060 Hwy 9
Boulder Creek, CA 95006
Contact:
Marci Bracco Cain
The Buzz PR LLC
Salinas, CA
(831) 747-7455
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