By Joe Berg, MWDOC Water Use Efficiency Program Manager

In response to our current water supply situation, water agencies throughout Orange County are asking consumers to reduce their water use up to fifteen percent.  Some consumers are asking, “I’ve already done so much, how can I save more?”  Here are the top five ways that residents can save water.

• Repair leaks. According to the American Water Works Association, leaks account for 5.5% of residential water use.  This amounts to approximately 21.9 gallons per household, per day.
• Replace older toilets with high efficiency toilets. Toilets use the largest amount of water inside the home.  This makes them a great target for water savings.
• Replace your old clothes washer with a high efficiency clothes washer. Clothes washers use the second largest amount of water inside the home.
• Water only when your plants need it. According to landscape professionals, over-watering is the most common problem associated with home landscape.
• Plant the right plants for our arid climate. With increasing demand for water and reduced supply (due to both climatological and regulatory constraints), southern California landscapes need to transition from traditional turf-intensive landscapes to California Friendly landscapes.
  

Even if some of these recommendations have already been implemented there is likely still room for improvement in other areas.  With just a couple of these measures, water saving goals can be achieved.  For even more water saving information, log onto www.H2Ouse.org or www.bewaterwise.com.

PRESS RELEASE

City of Yorba Linda

PO Box 87014, Yorba Linda CA  92885  

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 5, 2009

CONTACT: Public Works Department  (714) 961-7170

Regional Water Use Reductions Required – City of Yorba Linda Will Conserve Water By Reducing Landscape Maintenance Area

Yorba Linda, CA – California is in its third consecutive year of drought.  Water allocations to the Southern California region have been reduced.  On May 14, 2009, the Yorba Linda Water District adopted their Water Conservation Ordinance and announced a Stage 2 Water Supply

Shortage effective July 1, 2009.  

Based on this ordinance, water reduction thresholds must be met to avoid significant penalties.   To meet the water reduction mandates, the City must reduce the amount of landscape area it maintains.  A reduction in landscape area will preserve the health of the remaining landscape material while meeting the water reduction requirements.  Area reductions also provide for potential monetary savings to be used towards the renovation of irrigation systems and replacement of existing plants with drought tolerant varieties in the remaining areas. 

On June 16, 2009, the Yorba Linda City Council will consider the disposition of numerous public landscape areas throughout the City.  Some areas will be allowed to return to natural conditions while others could have maintenance responsibilities turned over to underlying property owners or available homeowners associations.   

Regional Water Use Reductions Required – City of Yorba Linda Will Conserve Water By Reducing Landscape Maintenance Area 2

This item will be heard at the regularly scheduled City Council meeting on June 16, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. in the City Council chambers, located at 4845 Casa Loma Avenue.  You may contact the City of Yorba Linda Public Works Department at (714) 961-7170 or visit the City’s website at www.ci.yorba-linda.ca.us for more information.